What's Happening?

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer. I'm finding it difficult to find enough time to keep the blog updated on a regular basis. Katie and I are also finding it difficult to consistently do the Eat to Live Plan. One of the reasons is that we have both been sick and it requires planning to make sure you have ingredients on hand. We had a discussion about this the other day, and I also had a discussion with #1 son...in age that is...who is just finishing up his nutrition degree.

To make a long story short...and as a result of all the discussions...we have basically come to the conclusion that "everything in moderation" and "less calories in than out" and "regular exercise is key" are the most important things. Lots of these plans are very good and work, but most if not all are very hard to stick to. I've said before that as soon as one gets off their routine, or goes on a holiday, or other things, that it is very difficult to get back on a regimented routine.

My Doctor actually says the same thing, which is why he prescribes pills rather than telling people to live a healthier lifestyle and they will likely not need the pills. But in his experience people have good intentions generally but also generally just don't maintain over time.

So I am not stopping the blog completely, but I think you can all see where we're coming from now.

When I think of it, I will post the odd time, discussing our success or lack of as we move forward. We have had plenty of experience with no sucess as far as weight loss goes, all the way back to when we both quit smoking.

So thanks for stopping in....

until later.....

Jim

Day 10

243.4 lbs this morning...sugar level 8.2.

Forgot to post yesterday. One thing that is becoming apparent is that when things get busy, following a restrictive type eating plan gets more difficult. Katie has been working late the last few days as things have been very busy at work. I don't really cook, my job is cleaning. When Katie comes home it then becomes necessary to make what she can find, so if pre-planning was not possible for one reason or another, then we have something which is not in the maximum weight loss plan. So now its looking to me that this is ok as long as one is able to plan well and have the necessary food on hand. It looks to me like this is good for short periods of time. I know there are people who have made this a lifestyle, and I say good for them, but in reality, I already know when we go to Texas for a month it is simply impossible to eat exactly like this.

Giving up? Nope not really...just going to stick to eating well as often as possible and if we can manage the exact Eat to Live concept for many days at a time, we already know it works because of losing 9 pounds each in 12 days a few weeks ago. Katie and I will have to have a conversation about how we want to keep approaching the weight loss and health issue. That part is not up for debate, we both need to lose weight which has all sorts of health benefits. It's all a matter of how best to do it for our lifestyle, incorporating regular exercise and smart and healthy eating.

Somehow we found it a lot easier to be Vegan for 4 months last year, so we'll see where we go from here.

Went for amy 40 minute walk yesterday...when I came back I was soaking wet...pretty hot.

Had whole grain Cheerios this morning with fresh blueberries, the blueberries are awesome!

more later...

Day 8

Didn't post yesterday...there was not much to say...we had fish for supper with roasted vegetables...it was very good.

weight the same so far 245.2....sugar levels not dropping yet....still in the 8's. but last time it took awhile for it to start dropping.

Having a bit of a harder time this second go around...not sure why...might have to mix it up a bit...we'll see.

more later....

Day 6

245.2 lbs this morning and sugar level 8.6...that's as a result of a bit of an eating holiday on the weekend...not too bad
but not strict like we are many days.

Regular breakfast...

Big salad for lunch

Last night we had free range chicken with oven roasted vegetables...It was delicious!!!

Tonight we're going to have the same thing

Went for my 40 minute walk early this morning...as it is hot, hot, hot.

more later...

Day 5

243.8 this morning. Forgot to take my sugar reading before breakfast.

At the casino yesterday, Katie and I had fish and chips (day off) but we didn't have lunch so we were really hungry. The fish was supposed to be Fresh Pickerel in beer batter. Sounds really good and at $13 not cheap. When it came it had a heavy batter and was very greasy. Normally we would have sent it back...but we were so hungry we decided to eat it anyway and just tell the staff. What did they do? Well nothing, really...the waiter said he would tell the manager who would look into it. Any bill adjustment? not on your life...the casino needs every dollar it can get! Katie said either the deep fryer was not hot enough or the so called chef cooked it twice.

Turkey Bacon and eggs for breakfast with a slice of whole grain toast.

more later....

Day 4

245.2 lbs this morning...9.1 for glucose. both up a bit from yesterday but that happens.

Oatmeal again for breakfast with blueberries.

Katie and I going to the casino today, so we may not be able to have a proper meal tonight. That's ok...be right back at it tomorrows.

more later....

Day 3 Second Time

244.4 lbs this morning and glucose reading 8.5. No doubt that we keep eating this way the weight will come off and the glucose level will drop.

Oatmeal for breakfast with fresh blueberries.

Went for my 40 minute walk

Lunch consisted of large salad

more later...

Day 2 Second time

Weighed in at 246.2 this morning after a good eating day yesterday and a 40 minute walk. 8.2 for glucose reading this morning.

Got an interesting email from a friend yesterday, who said she has a friend who is diabetic. Her friend was told by a dietician that she may have what is referred to as a "leaky liver". In other words, during the night some of the insulin leaks out of the liver...so she was advised to have a snack before bedtime. She now has a bowl of cheerios in milk and her readings in the morning are lower when she does that, and higher when she doesn't. Might try that...thanks EB.

Regular breakfast of oatmeal this morning.

Went for my walk before lunch...then a large salad

more later...

I was a little optimistic thinking that Katie and I were going to get right on the bandwagon this week. Katie got exactly what I had in terms of the cold and flu. She went to a walkin Clinic on Monday and got antibiotics same type as I have. All of this put us right off the eating plan and exercise.

So where are we as of today? Well this is what happens when you don't eat well and don't get exercise. I am 248.6 lbs, so I am up 6.8 lbs since we went back to the old way of eating. The worst part is that my sugar levels in the morning are in the 8's and 9's, rather than in the 6's after 12 days on the eat to live plan. Just shows what should really be happening health wise.

Katie has been off work for a couple of days as the Doctor said she is contagious...we both had an eye infection. She is determined to go back to work today though, as the antibiotics are working. We are ready to get back to healthy eating and weight loss again.

Friends of ours have been on a routine called "The Dash Diet"...which is essentially a diet designed to deal with hypertension, with all sorts of beneficial effects for other ailments. After researching this diet, I found out that it is very similar to Eat to Live but is not quite so restrictive, and relies on portion control alot. So one is able to add things like dairy and lean meat to what we would eat on Eat to Live, but in restricted portions according to the number of calories taken in. The Dash Diet is very well received by most as one of the top eating regimes out there. Katie and I might try that in the near future, and if we do, I will write about our experience here.

So what's happening now? Today we are getting back to doing what was successful for us for the previous 12 day stint. How can one argue with with 9 pound weight loss in 12 days and morning blood sugar reading dropping from the 8's to the 6's?

For breakfast today, I am back to a bowl of oatmeal with blueberries and walnuts.

For lunch I had a big salad and then went for my usual 40 minute walk, which has not been my practice lately due to being sick.

For Supper had a good stir fry, made by Katie who is not feeling good...what a trooper!

Fruit for dessert.

more later....

I'm anticipating that regular blogging will continue next week...perhaps with a slight modification