my accountability thread Day one

Well, slinking back. I've logged in for three days now. The discipline of tracking shifts something in my brain and I become more conscious. I hit my goal weight of 172, then put on ten pounds. The good thing is I've been rowing, biking, and also a bit of free weights regularly and my cardio and muscle strength is very good. But, a 25 minute rowing session and a couple trips on the bike can't offset enough calories to make a difference in weight.

I've been doing a lot of reflection and journaling around the psychology of binge eating. Part of the drive to overeat is driven by imbalances in dopamine, epinephrine, and serotonin and also insuline. Part of it is emotional/psychological. I've been dialoging with the part of me that wants snacks, and bringing it into meditation. Just opening up to this aspect is helpful and there's been some integration around this. I want the issues around food to relax and the energy around eating to settle down.

Last, I have a jar of beet kvass fermenting. I used a recipe with some cabbage and a small amount of onion, and I added a few kefir grains. You chop uncooked beets into a mason jar and add water and salt. It ferments after a week and makes a potent probiotic rich liquid that can be drunk or put on salads. This helps rebalance the gut biome. It actually tastes really good.

The kvass is done, and the best batch I've made. The onion turned sweet in the mix. It's very good, and there's a feeling of strength and energy during the day after drinking a small glass.
Sadly, the goddamn weight is on me like a cheap suit. Actually up a pound today. I've been doing better with diet and eating, but perhaps age has slowed my metabolism and I need far less food. Hard to embrace this without feeling a sense of sacrifice and anger. Like, what the hell. Feels like the mandate is lean protein and vegetables 80%, and once a day allowing beans, rice, lentils, beets, potatoes, and squash. Probably would benefit from the regimen of cramming my meals into a 6 to 8 hour timeframe with around 16 hours of fasting but I'm just not ready to do that. I've cut way back on cheese, and post-dinner snacking hasn't been too bad but the slightest misstep seems to immediately carry a 2-pound punishment.

Last, our weight issues come with a lot of self judgement. David Whyte, a modern mystic, is offering Three Sundays in March, $65, a Zoom based exploration he calls Re-Imagining Shame. I've signed up. Lowering the blowback from emotions can make the journey to fitness much easier.

Good Sunday Morning!
I stayed within my calorie budget for the first 2 days of the month - YAY!
I also try to get in 20 minutes of exercise each day, which could be stretching. So far so good!
Today the challenge will be the exercise bc church keeps me busy several hours today.
I hope everyone has a Good Day!

Hello All!
Well, the weekend is almost here, not meaning much to an old, retired lady!
I went for my 2-week ckup after surgery yesterday and I wasn't totally ecstatic. He wants me to keep wearing the sling until I go back in 2 weeks. I thought I would start PT, but he said I am not showing any stiffness, so PT is not needed yet, yet??? I would also like to get off of the pain meds, but he said he doesn't want me to take Ibuprofen, the only other option that works because ibuprofen slows the healing process. So here I am, not driving, dependent on hubby
Ya'll are eating so healthy. I am still struggling with counting calories, haven't advanced to macros yet. I do look at them and am within reason. I've cut down a lot on carbs since I'm not running, so that is a plus. I know I will increase the carbs when I can run again.
@cory17, I noticed on your profile that you want to climb Mt. Whitney. Have you done that yet? We went to CO for a month last summer and are going for 2 months this year. We climbed Bierstadt, our 1st 14er!
We loved it and are hoping to do one or two more this summer.

Thursday is Thor's Day - so let's be tough!

Well, back at it. 100% of my "issue" is due to insulin release when I eat after dinner. Since the body can't use the food for energy immediately, there is an insulin release and the body stores the food. Thus, 200 calories extra all goes into fat. Staying away from carbs and food in general after 3 meals must be a bright white line. If I eat extra food after dinner I will immediately get a craving for more even if my belly is full. So, choices.

Some reassuring news, which I knew but nice to have reinforcement: Dr. Anthony Jay is a Ph.D. biochemist who studied fats and cholesterol as his main focus. If all indicators of health such as triglycerides, blood pressure, testosterone, vitamin D levels, etc. are good, then don't worry about cholesterol unless it gets above 300. Especially if the genetic family baseline runs a bit high. My cholesterol runs 210 to 310, LDL around 180. I like to keep it around 260 total with weight control and exercise, and there is no correlation with this level and heart problems. This is based on a study of 12.8 million people looking at death from all causes and correlating this with total cholesterol levels. The whole ballgame of health management is reducing inflammation in the body as much as possible, and lots of exercise.

Hello Fellow Fitness Pals!
I have had a very bad mind set lately. I don't seem to care and I want to eat in abundance. No doubt I've been feeling sorry for myself and I can't seem to shake it. I go for a walk and feel better but it doesn't last long. My weight hasn't increased much, but I can definitely tell I'm getting soft in places that used to be firm and toned. I try to think of our summer vacays but am concerned I will not have full range of motion in my arm to hike up mountains that I sometime have to use my arms. I'm hoping that putting this on paper will help me change my attitude. I am so blessed in so many ways. Hubby is working in the yard now that the weather is nice, but there are so many things that I have to restrict doing. Ok. Thanks for listening. Greg, it sounds like you are doing good, keep it up! You are an inspiration to me. I'm going to look into Dr. Anthony Jay. And I don't really understand the "inflammation" thing. I just understand healthy foods and exercise are good for me.
I hope Everyone has a Great Day!

Good Morning All!
Thank You Greg! I’m happy your boat is making the turn. Today I commit to grabbing the wheel on mine✔️ We have a short trip today to take some firewood down to some friends so I have to cut it short. Have a good and healthy day!

Good Morning! Good to hear from you Sarah! I woke up feeling much better than I have been. I'm anxious to hear how the Y went. Hubby is finally ready to get back to going to the gym. I've been wanting to try the stationary bike, but I don't have enough range of motion in my arm to drive to the gym. Greg, I started watching Dr. Berg on UTube! I am really enjoying it, learning a lot. I'm not big on cutting out whole food groups from my diet, but I can definitely cut down. I'm going for a long walk this morning. I hope everyone has a Blessed Day!

Good Morning!
Just checking in to say I am thinking of you!