Renate1958 - I have walking poles too. I laughed when you said you look like a really active fat person because every time I use them I think there is no way use them and NOT draw attention to myself. A kid asked me if they make me go faster and I just said yes as I walked past him!

Hi sjeannie,

Does your insurance cover a nutritionist? I've never been to one. I think it's wonderful that the pound you found was muscle. I usually hate to see an extra pound. So if you gained a pound of muscle, does that mean that you also lost fat? I gage my weight on how tight my clothes are, and they are getting tighter. I am tired of buying bigger clothes and the whole hating myself for being so fat thing. I try not to feel that way, but when I have to buy clothes, it gets bad.
It sounds like you are on a good trend. How much time do you spend exercising? Is it cardio or strength training?

Yes. He is a chiropractor who is also a certified nutritionist. So, it is covered by insurance. The machine did indicate that in addition to gaining muscle, I'd lost some fat. I have to confess, though. I go to him every other week. AS SOON as I leave him, I go and grab something sinful. One week it was a whole tray of Red Vines. The other week, it was some fried pickles. (Yes, FRIED pickles.) It's like going to confession ~ having him go over my food diaries, take my weight, read my cellular health and metabolism...etc. OMG! I have slacked off on the exercise because my workout buddy is having some personal issues at the moment. However, what was REALLY successful for me was strength training with just a small amount of cardio. We'd start off with like 10 minutes on the treadmill or stationary bike...and then the rest of the hour (slightly over an hour) was spent strength training. It made a HUGE difference. And I was only doing it twice a week. I go see my nutritionist today and I am NOT looking forward to the results. Although I have maintained my weight...it's WHAT I've been eating that concerns me. Last night it was an order of FRIED ZUCCINI. Uggggh! But to make up for that, I had Kale salad for lunch today.

Hi sjeannie,
You have inspired me to try some strength training! I think I could handle only two days a week. Don't blame yourself for the fried stuff. I ate fried green beans with some kind of ranch dressing or something on them. They were delicious!! lol We can take anything healthy and ruin it right? Oh well, then we get back on board with kale salad. You are doing so many right things, it's only human to want a yummy snack once in a while.

Oh, marbisis, in answer to your question, I do have an inexpensive juicer, but I haven't used it much. Fresh juice is wonderful, though, and you've got me thinking about getting it out again.

Becky

Well, vacation is over, I am back at work, and my company that I had over has left. Time to get back on track! I did lose 2 more lbs just by eating smaller portions (even though it was chinese, pizza or whatever). I also bought the Breville juicer and ouch are those things expensive! If you have them in the cupboard, you didn't get your monies worth yet!! Get them out!! lol I will start using mine this week, so I'll let you know how I'm doing.

Becky, in those movies we talked about, it shows that the food marketers make food addictive just like ciggarettes. It's not your fault that you crave them and going on a carb free diet will just make you binge. Your body needs carbs anyway, so just limit how much you have and what type. Fill up with a salad, drink a lot of water, stay off soda completely even diet, have a protien, wait 20 minutes and then have a small carb because you should already feel pretty full. Not bringing them home is a great plan, so if you can just buy one of something instead of a whole box that would help. Caramel is just sugar, and refined sugar is a trigger. You'd be better off with a piece of seriously dark chocolate like over 70% cacao. Let me know if you try that plan and if you think it's helping.

I am culinarily challenged, so I don't make cupcakes, but I will buy 1 at the health food store. I still look at the labels, because even there, the food can be loaded with all kinds of stuff that you don't want. One of the things I found out that is scary, is about Chinese honey. A lot of the honey in stores comes from China and it's got chemicals in it, and has been watered down. Some of the companies didn't even know they had Chinese honey in their products because it's not labeled from China. I will only buy local organic real honey from now on!!

Jacci, I will add those movies to my list! As a vegetarian do you eat a lot of Tofu or Soy? I have to avoid anything with soy in it, and now days it's in everything!!! Canned tuna, bread, mayo, salad dressing, ice cream, you name it. Practically all I can eat anymore is veggie or meat. I also want to mention, that since I am hardly eating any bread or dairy, I actually feel better and have more energy.

Water leaks suck!! OMG. I hope you didn't lose anything in the flood. I seem to have water leaks follow me wherever I go... My ceiling caved in over Christmas because a water line in the ceiling burst. The line went to an air humidifier that I didn't even know was up there!

In other news, I finally used my juicer. I didn't follow any recipe but maybe I should have. I used a whole bag of kale and then had to add a bunch of fruit to make it taste good enough to drink. So I made a lot the first time and didn't drink it all that day. The older it gets its not as good. And now I don't have anything left to make more and haven't had time to go shopping again...

I was very excited yesterday to fit into an older pair of jeans. I have a whole wardrobe waiting for me if I can just get down a few more pounds...

I also bought a bunch more fruits and veggies to use in my juicer. Can't wait to do that today :-)

It's been a while since I've checked in. I got out of the habit and fell off my diet :-( I hope everyone is still plugging away, one step at a time. I am getting myself back on target now...