Well written John.

Happy Sunday all.

Jen, I haven't been groped going through security since a flight right after 9/11. My last four flights I came up as pre-check. My coworkers think I "know somebody" but I say it just means I am destined for a cavity search soon.

I'm BACK! Now, how can I lose 40 pounds in a month??? Yep, I gained around 15 pounds since I was on here. I am NOT giving up.

kris3b wrote: »

Jen, I haven't been groped going through security since a flight right after 9/11. My last four flights I came up as pre-check. My coworkers think I "know somebody" but I say it just means I am destined for a cavity search soon.

I'm BACK! Now, how can I lose 40 pounds in a month??? Yep, I gained around 15 pounds since I was on here. I am NOT giving up.

SOOOOOO great to have you back Kris!! I remember what a source of inspiration you were to me back in my Sparkpeople days. And look at us, still at it. Chica, if we have anything it's stamina!! And that's all it take. A desire to not give up. And just by being here, you'll help us all stay or get back on track.

Jen: thanks for keeping us in the Kris loop!!

Kim, Great progress pictures! Its not a "before/after" but a before/during" It still showed how far you have come even though you still have more to go to reach your goal.

John, I read your speech and it is very well written. I feel that it is a perfect length.

Kris, sorry about your gain, a few of us had gained weight (me included) and hopefully which each slide, we learn what not to do and perseverance always wins!

I'm currently eating on a set of new macros set by Christin, It is easier than I thought it would be and I don't feel hungry or full. Bummed that I cant eat more when I was presented with a gorgeous fatty perfectly smoked brisket.. But that's the little piggy in me.
I don't know if I've lost any weight yet, till after my cycle so we'll see!!
Picked up our half pig yesterday and it fit in my freezer! yay. However, no head! WTF?! I'm still waiting on a reply from the farm, since the hamging weight includes the head.
Today I'm making Chicharrones, first time ever. Arturo is happy about that lol.

All of my fosters including the puppy are "officially" adopted! All The paperwork has been signed. Puppy is going home today to a great family with a pool so that will really help with his rehab.
Bravo is leaving on 6/3 and Carly on 6/13 and Arturo is treating me to a day in SF after all the fosters are gone! Then we'll see if I have the will to foster right after that or take a short break.

Susan, Congrats!

imabizzybee wrote: »

jenniferyounginillinois wrote: »

Today I'm restarting my Whole30 journey. Jen's Jaunts will be starting this week as well. No way is Carol going to show me up in Vegas!!!!

Jen, my Whole 30 reboot started this morning (Tuesday). I'll join you in the jaunting as well.

This time on the Whole 30 I'm going to focus on fat and try to keep carbs quite low. I liked the 12 days I did early in May, but sure enjoyed the fruit a bit too much. I'm shooting for at least 60% fat and to try to keep the net carbs (carbs - fiber) to under 40 grams. I made some fat bombs with ghee rather than full butter, so they are compliant. I had veggie smoothie and a fat bomb for breakfast at 7:30, and just now ate a bit of lunch at 2:30 because it seemed like I should rather than because I was really hungry. I like that!

YAY Cynthia!!! BTW, today I started as well. I messed up yesterday as I wasn't completely 'with it' after my flight. So today is Day 1 for me as well. Let's Whole30 and jaunt together.

I'm going to go get some ghee after work and see what it's all about. Also taking some suggestions from Kim and Heron regarding meat. Going to do my best to find only organic and grass fed and see how that works with my gi system. Also going to do my best to limit the fruit intake, since I can be a fruitaholic, especially when I'm giving up sugary treats. So a lot to focus on. Will be reading Carol's Whole30 emails again as well to help.

Jen, its not just "organic" The feed can be organic but the animals are still raised in a high stress environment and thus affect the meat as well. I would rather buy pastured meat that doesn't use certified organic feed than buy certified organic meat, because if a farmer is raising his animals on a pasture chances are he is anti monsanto lol Try this link http://www.eatwild.com/products/illinois.html
Also check out meetup.com search for paleo/sustainability and join like minded people, they probably buy pastured meat or at the very least are interested in it to go in on a share with you if you don't have the space for a lot of meat.

Cynthia, can you use coconut oil for whole30? There are so many awesome low carb coconut oil fat bombs..And yep, high fat food is very satiating. Love your new macros.

The puppy was picked up by his new mom and dad. It was bittersweet for me.. He is a really good puppy!! He was scared to be in a big truck so high off the ground the first time so we had to put him on the wife's lap for the ride back. As they were pulling away, she rolled down the window to say good bye and he started crying and I saw he panicking as the wife tried to hold him down. I ran back into the house so he won't see me and hopefully will settle down quicker. I feel sad but I know he will bounce back, I wish I could tell him that he wasn't getting abandon again and that he is about to embark on a new life! There are a few special fosters that holds a special place in my heart and he is one of them. He just have this tender sweetness to him that is hard to describe but if you were to hold him in your arms you'll totally get it. The old me would have buy a king size bag of reese's, open a bottle of wine and cry while Arturo looks on helplessly LMAO The new me can now rationalize what emotional eating is. This would be considered as a NSV?

Jen, that is great that you have easy access to good meat. Didn't mean to get all technical with the wording. It's just that I'm seeing a trend of companies putting "organic" on products and overcharging things!
Let us know if you feel a difference eating pastured meat. I'm very curious

Good morning everybody. Phew! Slept through my alarm this morning. Heck, I think I slept more than 8 hours last night, straight through!
It's Wednesday. That is all...

Yay! Jen! On the sleep. It just hit me yesterday that part of your issue with meat could be due to not eating in much and having lost the digestive enzymes needed to digest it. I can't remember if you said you'd given it up for awhile and then it started bothering you. If that's the case, they will return. Many folks who move from vegan/vegetarian back to omnivore will initially have these issues. Which clear up ...and then they feel great. I know there are supplements you can take in the short term. But I think focusing on good quality meat for a bit should fix you right up.

I need to start by thanking all of you for the warm welcome back. I sure missed all of you. This is such a fantastic group and I am thankful for all of you. I need to remember it when I am struggling and beating myself up over my self-perceived imperfections on the health and life front. I just hate showing my weakness. Poor Jen has had to listen to it through my downer emails! Now I will spread the "joy" to all of you, but you're not off the hook Jen. haha

John, Sorry that I missed your beautiful post. It was lovely. Way to go on that workout!!! Love the saying on your sweaty shirt:) As for the TM, not sure. I know I won’t be able to do it since surgery will probably be around that time, but perhaps I can make it. Yesterday, in our weekly work meeting, they discussed all of the upcoming school conferences and they have a bunch of them planned. I should see if there is a show in VEGAS at the same time. Knock out two birds with one stone. Way to go kicking butt in Chicago (or was it Wisonsin??? That was funny to me).

Carol, Thanks sweet lady. I was thinking of you last night. How are you doing down there in Texas??? Thoughts and prayers going out to you and your fellow Texans.

Jen, NO NO NO! You are leaving me as the only vegetarian in this meat-loving group??? Just kidding. Wishing you the best with giving it a go. I will say that awhile back, before the boyfriend and I gave it up, we went organic/grass fed and my body was much happier. I still believe my allergies to meats were linked to my antibiotic allergies. They pump so much into those animals. Kind of on the subject, but yesterday there was a work birthday lunch at a Chinese buffet (YUCK to all things buffet) and there was a clam bake on the TV and I was upset about the poor live lobsters being thrown on the coals. Everybody was laughing at me. It took me back to my early childhood going out to Cape Cod on family vacations. The tide would go out and I would spend the entire morning trying to “save” the lobsters and crabs by collecting them and putting them into little water ponds. I wasn’t the brightest child since they could obviously crawl to the water. LOL It is my destiny to go vegan, BUT my body would be far happier with meat. Never know, I could go back to it.

Heron, (((HUGS))) and bless you for your fostering. You are doing a wonderful thing. I can imagine how tough it is. Proud of you for the NSV! Something tells me a new pup will be entering your home soon. The boyfriend and I have talked about fostering, but our cat is old and we want him to remain king of the castle, with little stress in his remaining time.

Susan, Hi! A belated welcome to you! Haha on the 50 pounds. That would SO be me. I will do it the healthy way along with clicking my heels together in hopes of the 40 magically disappearing. Here’s to you reaching that goal soon! Woohoo:)

Kim and Cynthia, I see you ladies are going strong as ever. Nice:)

Me…
Yesterday was pretty good, despite the buffet. Limited my choices and felt pretty good about it. No cheese and my body is already happier. I would like to say that the yesterday’s nighttime munchies were conquered because of my strong will power, but I was simply too tired to eat and passed out a little after 7pm. Slept through the night. My body needed it. Tonight a workout is happening!

kris3b wrote: »

I need to start by thanking all of you for the warm welcome back. I sure missed all of you. This is such a fantastic group and I am thankful for all of you. I need to remember it when I am struggling and beating myself up over my self-perceived imperfections on the health and life front. I just hate showing my weakness. Poor Jen has had to listen to it through my downer emails! Now I will spread the "joy" to all of you, but you're not off the hook Jen. haha

John, Sorry that I missed your beautiful post. It was lovely. Way to go on that workout!!! Love the saying on your sweaty shirt:) As for the TM, not sure. I know I won’t be able to do it since surgery will probably be around that time, but perhaps I can make it. Yesterday, in our weekly work meeting, they discussed all of the upcoming school conferences and they have a bunch of them planned. I should see if there is a show in VEGAS at the same time. Knock out two birds with one stone. Way to go kicking butt in Chicago (or was it Wisonsin??? That was funny to me).

Jen, NO NO NO! You are leaving me as the only vegetarian in this meat-loving group??? Just kidding. Wishing you the best with giving it a go. I will say that awhile back, before the boyfriend and I gave it up, we went organic/grass fed and my body was much happier. I still believe my allergies to meats were linked to my antibiotic allergies. They pump so much into those animals. Kind of on the subject, but yesterday there was a work birthday lunch at a Chinese buffet (YUCK to all things buffet) and there was a clam bake on the TV and I was upset about the poor live lobsters being thrown on the coals. Everybody was laughing at me. It took me back to my early childhood going out to Cape Cod on family vacations. The tide would go out and I would spend the entire morning trying to “save” the lobsters and crabs by collecting them and putting them into little water ponds. I wasn’t the brightest child since they could obviously crawl to the water. LOL It is my destiny to go vegan, BUT my body would be far happier with meat. Never know, I could go back to it.

Me…
Yesterday was pretty good, despite the buffet. Limited my choices and felt pretty good about it. No cheese and my body is already happier. I would like to say that the yesterday’s nighttime munchies were conquered because of my strong will power, but I was simply too tired to eat and passed out a little after 7pm. Slept through the night. My body needed it. Tonight a workout is happening!

KRIS!!!! Yes I'm still eating meat. Remember though, I was still eating fish so wasn't vegetarian or vegan. Yo can continue to send me those 'happy' emails anytime you need to. You know I'm here for ya! Don't talk to me about buffets. I used to go to them all the time! I avoid them now because basically nothing there works well with my system. Ooooo, we would LOVE you coming to Vegas!!! I'm sure you would be a better spectator/supporter than I was in Chicago/Wisconsin (poor Carol, John, Jake & Mike).
I loved your story about trying to safe the lobsters and crabs. Awwwww, now cute.

Jen: we couldn't ask for a better supporter in Chicago! You just hush about that!

Heron, I'm not a huge animal person but I almost cried when I read your description of that puppy driving away. What a wonderful thing you do by fostering these babies.

Susan, I can totally relate to your dilemma at school. My girlfriend, Caroline, is the nurse at my children's elementary where I used to work. We have both acted as "healthy lifestyles coaches" for the campus this year. The My Plate initiatives are killing us! But we've had a lot of success, or she has, implementing programs that have kids eating more vegetables and getting activity in their lives. We work closely with our fabulous health fitness teachers. Just keep encouraging those kiddos to make better choices. Those kids are so lucky to have you!

As for me, I'm pretty darn pleased with things lately. This last whole30 turned into a whole 20 but it still gave me a chance to take a break from the scale, yet again. I wish I would've done this earlier in my life. My clothes fit better so why do I need to scale? I'm back to the whole 30ish way of eating. But I know I'm going to put "life into living" here & there. And I'm not real worried about it. I have one more masters class that starts next week and goes five weeks and I finally am done! This last one is a big one, I have to compile all my research and write everything and get all of my logs and everything turned in. This on top of some consulting jobs I have this summer, a summer camp that I'm helping to teach, a conference that I have in California, and summer staff development for the teachers. Oh and those kids I'm trying to raise. Those guys are going to raise themselves even though they try. But I have to say, that eating better has been what has saved me.
I don't want to be on a whole 30 as a lifestyle. I don't think it's meant to be a lifestyle, it's a learning tool – Dallas Hartwig just put out a post about that. But I'm not sure what I want to add back. I don't really miss anything all that much.

Cynthia: I'm still over indulging in fruits and nuts. But I think of myself as kind of fruity and kind of nutty so I'm okay with this.

Sorry about the long ramble.

Oh, and we are dry. Some of my friends and family are not so lucky, but everyone is safe. Thanks you guys for worrying about us.

John and Kim and Chris – I loved reading your updates also!

Ttfn