08-13-2012 Monday's Mad Hatter Chatter

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Snooozie
Snooozie Posts: 3,447 Member
Good morning Hatters!!

Hope everyone had a good weekend... and here's looking at a brand new week full of opportunity!

How did everyone sleep last night btw.... ? I'm guessing more than a few of us were (and are) up thru the night..

I was talking to a friend at work the other day about how sometimes when we (as women) actually go to bed at night.. no matter how tired we are, even if we can’t stop yawning, and we're truly exhausted.. it always seems that when we finally do get to put our heads down, that’s just the time our brain goes into overdrive; it just won’t stop going to all sorts of thoughts; things you forgot to do; or the hydro bill coming up, or the shirt you have to iron in the morning, or why your hubby made that comment two days ago about your brother.. what was that about? Throw in a hot flash and the “oh crap I gotta get up to pee” and the snoring now making you grind your teeth so you don’t put a pillow over your loved one’s face…..and of course you’re gonna get a good sleep, right? and just feel great waking up from a nice restful night... NOT...!!

As we were agreeing on how we can’t turn our brains off, one of the guys walked by and heard and said you know what you’re problem is.. you think too much. We just stared at him LOL.. but he said no really.. men.. go to bed and just go to sleep. You WOMEN go to bed and START thinking.. no wonder you can’t get to sleep.... you just think too much! (he then realized it would be a very good time to turn around and run…far away..... ).

But he actually had a point. We do that. Unfortunately, for most of us, there’s no way to stop it, because it’s the ONLY time we get to think about stuff… we’re too busy the rest of the time taking care of everything and everyone else. So crawling into bed gives our body a rest, and leaves our minds open to now dealing with everything we didn’t have time to think about earlier. (unless its interrupted by the aforementioned hot flash.. THEN it’s just a matter of survival!) But I think a lot of us women don’t pay enough attention to the amount of stress we’re under a lot of the time; because we try to be the peacemakers and the taker carers of … and bad news ladies… (although I suspect most of you already know) stress… is one more boulder sitting in the middle of the path we’re on… and it’s a big sucker. A really big boulder. :sad:

Stress is something we women tend to brush off; because we’re used to just taking care of stuff; we don’t think oh I can’t handle this or how am I going to take care of that, because we just go ahead and DO whatever needs to be done. Remember.. we ROCK at doing “hard”. But inside.. we’re stressed to the max a lot of times.. we just don’t say it or recognize it because a) we’re too busy fixing the problems, and b) we just tell ourselves we don’t have time to stress about it, because of a). (see the cycle??) And also because… we don’t see a solution to stress, right?? Everyone tells us we shouldn’t stress about stuff, but nobody comes along and says hey, I’ll take care of that stuff for you, or says hey this is how you can cut stress…… so we just ignore it. But it plays a big part in our efforts to lose weight as well…(how much does that suck?? Like its not hard enough just to learn to eat well and start exercising at our age??) This is an article I found that made me think here in the Hatters group, maybe it’s time we started to think about stress and how it impacts us, maybe talk about it….? Because maybe acknowleding it (even if we can't fix it) will help us get around, under or over this particular boulder of ours.. (as do pedicures with lovely red toes LOL)!

“The main reason some women gather more fat around their middle than others is specifically because of the action of the stress hormone cortisol.Millions of years ago, our bodies were designed to react quickly to danger. Like wild animals we were on constant alert so we could run or fight if threatened. When your brain thinks your life is in danger it stimulates the release of adrenaline and cortisol.

This fight or flight response is incredibly clever and thoroughly efficient. It provides instant energy for 5-10 minutes allowing you to react swiftly to dangerous situations.

These days, many of us live under chronic stress. But our bodies can’t distinguish between late trains, missed appointments, spiralling debt, infuriating work colleagues, family disputes and the truly life-threatening stress it gears up to challenge. So it reacts exactly the same as it’s always done.

The problem with many modern lifestyles is that stress (our ‘perceived threat’) is almost continuous and comes without the natural release that either fighting or fleeing might provide. Unless you do something physical (as your body is expecting you to) all that extra energy, in the form of fat and glucose, has nowhere to go. It must be simply re-deposited as fat.

After a stressful event cortisol levels in the blood often remain high for a while, effectively increasing your appetite because your body thinks you should refuel after all this fighting or fleeing. This means people under constant stress quite often feel constantly hungry. Worse, their body urges them to stock up on the foods it thinks will be most useful after all that ‘activity’ – carbohydrates (like sugar) and fats. It’s just the sort high-sugar, high-fat comfort and convenience food many people crave.

If you don’t fight or flee when your body expects you to, the fat and glucose swimming around your system get deposited as fat – around the middle of your body. And if you eat something sugary or fatty as a consequence of the post-stress appetite surge, any weight you gain as a result, will be around your middle too.

The reason fat targets the middle is because it is close to the liver where it can most quickly be converted back into energy if needed. There it provides the body with protection ready for the next stress attack.Your body is only trying to help. To continue providing the energy it thinks you need, it tries to keep a convenient fat store ready for constant use and creates cravings and increases appetite to ensure good supplies of necessary fuel."

Are you stressed?


If you can see yourself in the list below, your cortisol levels are likely to be high:
A tendency to gain fat around your tummy, chest, back and hips
Increased appetite
Increased cravings for chocolate, sweets, breads, cakes, caffeine and alcohol (particularly any combination of carbohydrates and fats, such as chocolate and cakes because they are particularly high in calories)
Your immune system is low (you get frequent colds and infections)
Headaches
Nail biting
Teeth grinding
High cholesterol (if you don’t know, get it checked)
Blood sugar swings
Digestive problems (such as bloating and flatulence)
Chest pains - (you must see your doctor if you are getting chest pains but the effects of the stress hormones can mimic heart problems)
Muscle aches and pains
Shoulder and neck pain (stress hormones will keep certain muscles tense ready for fight or flight)
Hair loss
Irregular periods or no
Difficulty in concentrating or forgetfulness
Depression
Increased premenstrual symptoms (PMS)
Slower metabolism (which makes it harder to lose weight in general)
Low sex drive
Tiredness but an inability to sleep well
Tendency to get a second wind in the evening
Waking up in the middle of the night, finding it hard to get back to sleep and then desperately want to continue sleeping in the morning when you should be getting up.”

OK REALLY… I swear I ticked yes to every single thing on that list!!!!!!!!

So what can we do about stress? I wish I had the answer, but I’d love to hear some of the Hatters thoughts on the subject???

The ONE thing I do know.. is that LAUGHTER cuts stress – and who knew.. it can apparently help you LOSE weight too…… so let’s make Monday our day to cut a little stress out of our lives by laughing at least a few times today – remember that video HSH posted?? It makes me laugh so I’m going to start with it, and see if I can get a few more chuckles in as well.. !!

'Laughter is the best medicine': we're always being told that, but there's actually more to a good giggle than just raising our spirits for a couple of minutes:

"Research shows that while children laugh up to 400 times a day, adults do it only 17 times a day, on average.\
In fact, laughter therapy is a big deal and can improve your health in lots of different ways. Just check out these 10 benefits of chuckling...

1. Laughter boosts your immune system
Researchers have found that laughter actually boosts the immune system, increasing the number of antibody-producing T cells. This then makes us less likely to get coughs and colds. It also lowers the levels of at least four hormones that are associated with stress, so after a good giggle you should be far less tense and anxious.

2. Laughter relieves pain
A good chortle has been found to reduce pain. Not only does it distract you from aches, but it releases feelgood endorphins into your system that are more powerful than the same amount of morphine.

3. Laughter improves your social life
If you can make people laugh, then you're likely to have more friends, because everyone loves a joker. You're also likely to achieve more at work: if you have a good sense of humour you'll be more productive, a better communicator and team player.
In fact, most things we laugh at aren't necessarily actual jokes, but comments in everyday conversation. Laughter is as much about social relationships as it is about humour.

4. Laughter helps relieve depression
Laughter has long been known to help people who are suffering from the either SAD or full-blown depression. Laughing reduces tension and stress, and lowers anxiety and irritation, which are all major factors that contribute to the blues. :laugh:

5. Laughter boosts your relationship
If you're looking to find a new partner, then laughter will help you find a new mate. Men love women who laugh in their presence and women actually laugh 125% more than men. And if you're already with someone, then a shared sense of humour is an important factor in keeping your relationship running smoothly.

6.Laughter gives you a mini-work-out
We've probably all used, or at least heard, the phrase 'my sides ache' after laughing too much. Well, it's no real surprise. A good belly laugh exercises the diaphragm, contracts your abdominal muscles and also works your shoulders. This will make you feel a lot more relaxed.

In fact, laughing 100 times is the equivalent to 10 minutes on the rowing machine or 15 minutes on an exercise bike :laugh:

7. Laughter protects your heart
According to a study by heart specialists at the University of Maryland, people with heart disease were 40% less likely to laugh in a variety of situations compared to people of the same age without heart disease.

Laughter has been found to benefit the way blood flows around the body, reducing the likelihood of heart disease. The research said that 15 minutes of laughter a day is as important for your heart as 30 minutes of exercise 3 times a week!

8. Laughter lowers your blood pressure
People who laugh a lot on a regular basis have lower blood pressure than the average person. When people have a good laugh, the blood pressure increases at first, but then it decreases to levels below normal. Breathing then becomes deeper and this helps to send oxygen-rich blood and nutrients throughout the body.

9. Laughter improves your breathing
Laughter empties your lungs of more air than it takes in resulting in a cleansing effect - similar to deep breathing. This is especially helpful for people who are suffering from respiratory ailments, such as asthma.

10. Laughter helps you lose weight
Burning off calories by laughing might not sound as if it has much use, but a hearty chuckle raises the heart rate and speeds up the metabolism. :bigsmile:

Replies

  • Lindawoj1
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    Life has kept me pretty busy and unable to do more than log my food each day. Took the time to read your post Soozie. Love it. I'm like you. I can check off everything on that list.
    Hope we all have a fun filled day of laughter. Mine will begin when my grandson gets here. That little guy keeps me laughing all day.
    Have a good day.
  • bisland
    bisland Posts: 245 Member
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    WOW! Snooozie what an awsome AM post. As woman we do juggle an incredible amount, This is not to say some men do as well, but it has been my experience this is the exception rather than the rule. I have had my cortisol level checked in the past as I had a few of the symptoms (it was normal). I have found over the past 8 months of limiting my carbs/sugar and increasing exercise has had a huge impact on my stress level & belly fat. The scale has not moved as much as I wish it had, but I feel better than I have in years, so it is all good.

    I am back in the game today after a weekend break. My intensions were to log my food, but 10 hours of running (and I do mean running) in the bag check at the race both days this weekend I found it impossible. Believe it or not here I was among all these thousands of ultra fit & the only food choices were pizza/fries/burgers/chips/wrap sandwiches. I tried to make good choices (when I took like 3 minutes to eat something), but by the time I got home Saturday night my son & I were famished. caved & got chinese food.

    Passing up my AM walk or jog this AM. My poor feet need the break. They were feeling better, but a set back from this w/e. Lots of stretching & I will likely go for a bike ride this evening.

    Have a fabulous day all. kathy
  • Snooozie
    Snooozie Posts: 3,447 Member
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    Linda! lovely to see you; so glad you were able to pop in! Sounds like you're gonna be burning off a lot of calories giggling withe the little one!

    Bis: can just imagine the ache going on in your knee... kudos for being smart and staying off it this morning.. !! I was actually picturing you bustling around the backpack area lol - and no worries on the chinese..sounds like you burned a lot of calories, and remember the zig zag pattern of upping calories one day is supposed to be good for kickstarting the metabolism! Hope the icing (hmmm not a good choice of wording... the ice on your knee lol) helps and you hav a good day!

    Sowwy about the long read this morning ladies lol.. I started it before I went to bed and since I was up for a while thru the night.. i rambled a wee bit!

    Hoping to see some of our MIA hatters who've been off vacationing without us (what's with that ladies... why did you leave us behind huh??) LOL.. and T2 hope you get your puter fixed soon.. we miss all of you!

    Janet.. sorry.. what day is the new intern visit?? Im heading off to the lake for my walkies this morning, but if it's today and you're gone before i get back... hope he turns out to be ggreat and invested in YOU!

    Scampering off ... (there's a visual.. I'm about as graceful as a ruptured gazelle..) :bigsmile:
  • hairsprayhon
    hairsprayhon Posts: 334 Member
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    Snoozie, Thanks for the great post. all I can say about the stress is ME TOO!
    Kathy, isn't it odd all those super fit folks and just poor food choices! I guess they were so relieved to be done their ordeal they figured they could burn off whatever they ate.
    53 pounds, despite trying not to overreact to the scale I am excited. That is more than half way to my goal! That is closer to 200 than it is to 250! That is over 19% of my January weight! That looks good! I posted a new pic, in an old outfit that has not fit in YEARS!
    Hatters, thanks for being here, I started MFP in January, but it is only since being with the Hatters that I have really taken advantage of all of the MFP features and while that helped get me out of a slump, it is you ladies who have renewed my motivation and my joy in finding fitness. Thank you, if I can do it we all can do it!!!!! Janet
  • Time2LoseWeightNOW
    Time2LoseWeightNOW Posts: 1,730 Member
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    Hey ,Girls...I miss you all... Loving all your posts. Inspiring.

    Snooozie, love this mornings post. I check off on all of them too...... I love the laughter info . It is so true. That's why Iove my husband....he is the only one who can make me laugh at any time...( he thought it should be something else....

    Computer is still on the fritz. It freezes up at any time and when it unfreezes, all my post is gone. And you know it takes me a month of Sunday's to type it anyway. LOL

    Janet, Awesome!! on the 4 lbs.. IPOU!!

    I just went and bought a un-digital one (the old time one) I spend so much jumping on and off, trying to get it to set to zero, that surely I will lose a lb just doing that!!! lol

    Bis, I know you must be exhausted after this weekend, but i know you enjoyed it even through al the hard work. Take care of those feet.

    Linda, I know you will have an eventful day with your grandson.

    I miss you all. I will pop on during breaks.

    Snooozie, hope your having a great holiday.....you did say you were off this week? I may have mis-read.
    Later on, girls.
    Gail
  • KLB960
    KLB960 Posts: 17 Member
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    Oy vei (spelling) that was a long "chatter" ! But how true! I related to so much of that but I thankfully have a husband that makes me laugh..alot. When I hit the pillow, I am done (unless the hot flash or bathroom calls for me). But I do have some of the "fight or flight" symptoms..middle bulge and I thought it was a family trait:tongue:

    Anyway, hope everyone has a wonderful and successful (weight loss) week!
  • cbmcphillips
    cbmcphillips Posts: 801 Member
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    @ snoozie - thanks - you always make me smile - :wink:

    my husband always makes me laugh - our joke is that I will probably die laughing ......:laugh:
    better than what happened 2 years ago this week -.......

    Keep up the great work ladies --- Carol
  • mazie61
    mazie61 Posts: 106 Member
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    Thanks Snooozie! I can also check off all on that stress list! I'm working on it though!
    Have a great day Mad Hatters!!
    Annamay
  • Snooozie
    Snooozie Posts: 3,447 Member
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    LOL @KLB.. the length of my post scared even me when I saw it.... lol but figured it would be nice to know that there's a reason besides just us and our relationships with food that our bellies may be holding on to some of that fat :bigsmile:

    LOVELY to hear from you Mazie.. and cbm.. glad to hear the chuckles are alive and well in your parts of the world!!

    Time2: YAY!! so good to hear from you; altho sorry the darn puter is still out ... grrrr!! thank goodness for work then if you can at least pop on there - we've missed ya!

    HSH: :bigsmile: :bigsmile: :bigsmile: HUGE CONGRATS! :bigsmile: :bigsmile:

    Such an awesome accomplishment - truly you must be so proud of yourself... you are such an inspiration to me personally and I'm sure to many other hatters that it CAN be done!! Which pic is you in the old outfit.. the green/blue one? Will be doing the snoopy happy feet dance all day for ya! Well done!

    I was going to stay home and do all the cleaning i ignored on the weekend; but its gonna rain all day tomorrow so intead am heading out to take care of some chores and running around; will pop in later to see how everyone's doing!!

    And going to spend at lest 1/2 hr larfing some way, some how!! :laugh:
  • abbezen
    abbezen Posts: 405 Member
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    Good Morning my Beautiful Friends~

    Snoozie~ Excellent post....a great way to start the week.

    My daughter started her new job with the State this morning....so some of the STRESS will be off me now. Feeding an additional 4 mouths has been very stressful for me.

    Love and HUGZz
    Kimberly
  • Snooozie
    Snooozie Posts: 3,447 Member
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    :flowerforyou: @ Kimberly :flowerforyou:

    Can just imagine how stressful it's been for you K... hope your daughters first day goes great and so good to hear you might have a little less stress on your plate ...
  • Lindawoj1
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    Really wish I could figure out how many calories I burn on days like today. Beach with a 2 year old. Don't bother bringing a chair because there is not sitting. We had a blast playing in the waves and chasing the birds. I highly recommend you all get one of those little ones for exercise.
    Hope everyone had a good monday.

    Didn't eat as well as I should have. It's hard at the beach making good choices.
    I promise my food intake will be much better tomorrow. (sigh)
  • TArnold2012
    TArnold2012 Posts: 929 Member
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    Oh I feel I have been gone forever !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    I have been popping in and logging but just been super busy getting things lined up for the upcoming teaching year. Totally relate with Linda and doing little more than logging on mfp. I ate lots of seafood steamed but the sodium content was blahhhhhh. I did CHOOSE to eat a few treats and had a few drinks. So this week I am NOT officially weighing as I suspect bloating. I am proud to say I am right back into the groove today as planned after allowing a few days off. Got my new eyes today. I am amazed how clear the tv is again !!! but disappointed that its much harder to adjust to wearing glasses than sunglasses. It is also going to take a bit to get use to reading. I was expecting reading to improve as much as distance and I am not finding it that easy.

    Janet dear congrats and yes it is closer to 200 than 250 be proud of all you have worked toward.


    Hope everyone has a great week and that I have a bit more time over the next few days I do miss you ladies

    Snoozie another wonderful post !!!
  • cbmcphillips
    cbmcphillips Posts: 801 Member
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    Oh I feel I have been gone forever !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    I have been popping in and logging but just been super busy getting things lined up for the upcoming teaching year. Totally relate with Linda and doing little more than logging on mfp. I ate lots of seafood steamed but the sodium content was blahhhhhh. I did CHOOSE to eat a few treats and had a few drinks. So this week I am NOT officially weighing as I suspect bloating. I am proud to say I am right back into the groove today as planned after allowing a few days off. Got my new eyes today. I am amazed how clear the tv is again !!! but disappointed that its much harder to adjust to wearing glasses than sunglasses. It is also going to take a bit to get use to reading. I was expecting reading to improve as much as distance and I am not finding it that easy.

    Janet dear congrats and yes it is closer to 200 than 250 be proud of all you have worked toward.


    Hope everyone has a great week and that I have a bit more time over the next few days I do miss you ladies

    Snoozie another wonderful post !!!

    I've worn glasses since the 8th grade - I used to wear for distance but now end up taking off the glasses to read... :laugh: so, being the absent minded professor... pun intended... have a prescription for no-line progessives - worth every penny - don't have to worry about wear set them down... they took the strength off the bottom.. Carol