October 8 --Thanksgiving Day in Canada

[Benay]

In Canada, it is a national day of thanks for a good harvest that carried the pilgrims through the winter. So the theme is gratitude.

I am grateful for family and friends, enough money to see to my needs and some of my desires, for my current state of health and fitness, for the Eades who introduced me to the low carb way of thinking and for the computer program Diet Power that allowed me to track my performance day after day, week after week. I have no idea why I have been able to stick with the lc diet since January, but I am sincerely grateful for that blessing.

So today I will try to think of all the other things for which I am grateful and concentrate on them. And at the end of the day, I will be grateful that I stuck to my goals for the day.

[Ottawa]

I would place friends and family at the top of the list as well.
Other things include include my health, mind and knowing who I am.
My blood sugar is the lowest it's been since starting PP over 5 years ago, 5.1 or 92 (US) and BP is 114/82. Volleyball (coverage and jumps) and short sprint running have improved as well.

Today has begun with a workout, a planned movie outing just before lunch, and cooking up a smoked duck for dinner.

[hawk]

Cool! Happy Thanksgiving! What are Thanksgiving Tradition in Canada?

I had a NO for yesterday. My legs wre in such pain from the knees down, I did not care. I have a much better mental attitude today even though the pain level is still up there. I need to work harder at the bike and more often. I also need to stay away from all carbs. Just things that help.
I'm stocked up and I am writing every thing down.

[maxlharris]

Morning all. Not thinking cogently enough to write anything.

Hawk, no one is gonna take a no from you that is activity related. I'm thankful you took a day off. Get back on it if you feel you can. But don't beat yourself up if you can't.

[Ammy]

Morning all.
Today I have my annual physical, and since I want fasting bloodwork I have had nothing but water this am...
I'm not necessarily hungry but I could REALLY use some coffee!!!:frown:

Max, I'm not thinking yet either...
Hawk, I agree with Max.
Ottawa and Benay...Happy Thanksgiving!!

[gitfiddle]

Happy Thanksgiving, all you Canadians! I'll echo Hawk and ask how you celebrate.

I am grateful for my family and my friends. I am grateful for my health and that even though it's not the way I want it, it's better than most. I'm even grateful for the hardships that have shaped my life and made me who I am. :nod:

I was running late this morning and grabbed a Stallone pudding to eat at work for breakfast. It has 20g protein and 1ecc, but it tastes like sweetened wallpaper paste. Works though. Lunch and dinner are planned and I have the components here. Digital camera/photoshop class tonight after work.

[Shadow]

Happy Thanksgiving to our Canadian friends :D!

I have so very much to be thankful for, that I'm not even going to attempt to name it all. Suffice it to say, I am a very grateful person indeed :nod:.

And to continue the theme of thanks, I am thankful today is going to be another 'yes' day :)!

Lynn - I agree with Max. There's no way I think you get a no for inactivity! Even if you didn't do planned exercise, you'll never convince me you sat around twiddling your thumbs all day ;).

[Feelix]

Happy Thanksgiving to all Canadians!
I was born in Canada and our family would eat the traditional Turkey, Ham, and Roast Beef. We also at perogies, mashed potatoes, corn, green beans, etc. We would eat cheese and sausage:-) Our family did not limit food- it was all welcome at our Thanksgiving Table. Not to much for tradition other than the more, the better!

What am I Thankful For?
Right now I am so thankful for you all! You have all been so helpful. I appreciate each and everyone of you.

HELP!
I received my blood results back. The red flag they waved was my LDL Cholesterol level is 129 and they want it at 100 or lower. Does anyone know anything about this? Their suggestion, of course, is exercise.

[oceanblueLA]

Happy Thanksgiving to our north of the border friends! I love Canada and Canadians!

I am one of the most grateful and blessed people and remember that everyday. Okay, some days don't go so well and I forget. But I am so grateful for what I have: wonderful relationships with my family and friends, my home which makes me feel safe, my artwork and books and things which keep my spirit alive and light, for a sense of optimism that makes each day another chance to live and appreciate and contribute... and sometimes a chance to redeem less than stellar behavior.

I got back from my Miami trip last night and am so glad to be home. Keeping to my meals was a challenge, but i did it. I also got all of my exercise in. I was unable to check in with you the past few days because of internet connection issues, but I did think about you!

I weighed myself this morning and for the first time in a while, the scale has moved. Two pounds gone! I left it in Miami but it was a long time coming. I could feel myself getting smaller but the scale wasn't budging the past few weeks. But suddeny it showed up. I am hopeful I am past that point of resistance and the pounds will go more freely.

Glad to be back! Hope everyone has a terrific day. :-)

Blue

[Ammy]

I was running late this morning and grabbed a Stallone pudding to eat at work for breakfast. It has 20g protein and 1ecc, but it tastes like sweetened wallpaper paste.

MAN THAT IS SO TRUE!!!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

[Claudette]

Hi, Y'all,

Happy Thanksgiving Day to all you Canadians!

I am off today, Columbus day here in the states and a welcome day off too. I am busy unpacking but tossing out alot also.

I am so blessed with a loving hubby, (34 years) and family, son, sister, nephews, great health, enough money to take care of us. I am also so thankful for the Eades and the PP way of life.

Today, will be a yes for me.

I am starting IF today, sort of tough, drinking lots of water. I want to see if it will jump start my regular PP way of eating.


Have a great day.

Claudette

[Ammy]

Just thought I'd report in on the "ADHD" check up.

Come to find out that MY DOCTOR is a tester for adult ADHD, however she recommended a few tests be done before she does that testing...
She is sending me to a memory clinic and they will do their assessments then send me in for neurologic testing.

It was VERY embarrassing to ask about it - mostly because we were just finishing up when I REMEMBER to ask-I was even holding a note IN MY HAND listing the things I wanted to talk about and forgot I was holding that.
She kept asking me if I had stress and/or anxiety. I don't think I do, but she said sometimes we do and don't even realize it. She thinks that most people have anxiety issues that affects memory/focus and as soon as that is treated, they're 'good as new'.
I don't care WHAT the underlying issue is, just FIX it-even if that means taking a pill every day!!

So, thank you to everyone who encouraged me to get this checked out. It was embarrassing but she made me feel like it's more common than most people realize!

[Feelix]

My Onion Pie Recipe revisited

If anyone watches FoodNetwork Contests, you may recognize the name "John Michael Lerma's Vidalia Onion Pie". This is my adaptation that I made for lunch. Yes, in short it is an quiche but don't tell my husband, he was impressed. :-)

2 pounds Vidalia onions, thinly sliced (or chopped if you are lazy like me- love the food processor)
½ cup unsalted butter
4 eggs, beaten
1 cup sour cream
¼ teaspoon of kosher or Hawaiian salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Freshly grated Parmesan


Directions
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Brush pie pan with butter.
Over medium heat, melt butter. Add onions and saute until translucent. Do not brown.

Combine eggs, sour cream, and flour.

Add to onion mixture. Season with salt and pepper and pour into pie pan.
Top with grated cheese.

Bake for 20 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees and bake for an additional 20 minutes or until center is set.

[Ottawa]

HELP!
I received my blood results back. The red flag they waved was my LDL Cholesterol level is 129 and they want it at 100 or lower. Does anyone know anything about this? Their suggestion, of course, is exercise.

Exercise is great for raising HDL, I don't know it's effect on LDL. How long have you been LC? INitially mine took a jump and did not lower to an "acceptable" level until almost 6 months.


Amy ... Hmmmm Amy? ... Amy who??? :rolleyes: Sounds good and you are rolling on it. All the best.

Thanksgiving Day here would normally be a turkey or ham, sweet potatoes, cranberries, a heavy dessert of some kind and possibly Christmas Crackers (with the hat, little prize and a fortune).
Our kids are all out of town today and it will be a simpler fair. We went to see The Brave One with Jodie Foster (7/10) thia morning and got in an hour walk on a new pathway for an hour right after.
Dinner is smoked duck (that my wife is afraid of):D, green beens, broccolli, Pumpkin Custard with whipped cream.

[Feelix]

well- i haven't been LC consistently enough to say i'm LC. I have been working at LC off and on for 2 months.

They also mentioned eating 1500 cals or less to lose weight. any Feedback?

[Ottawa]

Feedback:
If you are like most, 1500 cals will not keep you from feeling hungry. LC gives you a Protein advantage at the least and limits Insulin spikes for further weight gain.
It definitely does not work, and actually works against you going on and off since the extra calories you can use with PP/LC get stored after a carb indulgence.


If you have an Eating Disorder (bingeing/going off plan) you might want to add Intermittent Fasting since several people have had that correct or minimize the binges since all you have to watch is your eating window.
One of the best quotes I've seen recently is ...

"I think what makes IF so ED (Eating Disorder) proof, is that there is this clear distinction between eating and fasting. They're both equally fulfilling activities.
Fasting is to eating what sleeping is to waking.
Most people spend their waking lives eating, resisting the temptation to eat, or thinking about eating. IF seems to be like a ticket to a long waking period during which food is happily not even on the agenda."

Again, it's not for all but in your case sounds like it is worth a try and several successful people on IF challenges that had or have ED, stop binging or binge less, and can correct a binge within 24 hours (weight loss) on LC/IF.

[Feelix]

Thanks, Ottawa! 1500 Cal doesn't even sound like fun.

Today is a yes day. And so is tomorrow! My onion quiche is tasty! if planned and prepped - it is easy to eat LC. I just started bad calories book.... I'm looking forward to it!

[hawk]

I appreciate the encouragement I get when ever I come here. Maybe you all realize it. If you don't ...well , you are all awesome. It's hard to tell the people around me when I am in pain . I don't want to be a whiner. Only a couple people know about the RSD. Since Sunday, it feels like I have rail road spikes driven up the bones in my lower legs.It keeps me awake.I am in a half sleep half awake pain fog all night. Pain meds don't work. I have been getting up at 3 am and riding the bike. I ride whenever it gets really sharp and burning.

I just finished the bike and all the muscles in my calves are jumping now.Pulsing.It's a good thing.

Today the yard still had the saw horses,wood scraps, shingles and tools everywhere. I took the opportunity to have some reason to walk and I cleaned it all up and organized the tools outside into the shed. All the tools and boxes of nails and screws in front of the fireplace in the living room , I put in the garage . I spent most of the morning doing that. I carried wood from the truck ,for the upper wall above the screen porch that will go from the edge of the house roof to the vaulted ceiling ,and stood it in the shed. My husband got upset that I was doing it when he called. It just helps to keep me moving if I have a real reason to move.He'll get over it.I feel like I walk like Frankenstien. I'm working it. Sooner or later I will overcome it and walk more normal. Funny thing is. My legs look perfectly normal. The skin is back to a normal color and not blue . Probably because of forced cycling.

I have stayed on plan all day.

My daughter in law is having a jewlery party tonight. I am going just to be there. I make creative pieces of jewlery to match something special I sew to wear..otherwise I don't wear it. I either accidently break it or lose it.It's useless to me.

I hope she does not make sweets and beg me to eat them... She is so strong about her diet with martial arts training . I made oatmeal cookies with the kids the other night and sent them all home. Daughter in law was out of town and everyone scarfed the cookies down before she got home. She complained to me that she did not get any cookies. I told her that she would not have eaten them anyway. Then she said..." yes, but, I did not even have the opportunity to refuse them!" goofy girl.

Cookies are not food. They are round overly sweet disks with poisonous addictive carbohydrates that cause excess insulin to float around the blood stream and wreak havock on most of the organs in your body. Hungry?? Oh yeah... and they make you break out in fat.:eek:

[maxlharris]

HELP!
I received my blood results back. The red flag they waved was my LDL Cholesterol level is 129 and they want it at 100 or lower. Does anyone know anything about this? Their suggestion, of course, is exercise.

More important than LDL, what are your HDL and Triglyceride numbers? And your total.

Reading Good Calories Bad Calores by Taubes, the key things, in order of importance are:
Triglycerides (low is good)
Ratio of trig:HDL (or vice versa, I forget. It was covered in PP)
HDL (High is good)
Total (between 160 and 240 is the bottom of the total cause mortality scale)
other ratios: LDL:HDL, Tot:HDL, etc
LDL number.

LDL paranoia is a bit of a sheep show. Only the folks not paying very close attention have it. I was there. I'm over it.

[maxlharris]

MAN THAT IS SO TRUE!!!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

The chocolate is a billion times better than the vanilla. It needs stirring and you gotta eat it really cold. It's not real pudding, but real pudding doesn't have 20g of protein in a 180g serving.

[maxlharris]

Feelix: On calories. Calorie reduction has been shown, long term, to simply not work. In the short term, hungry and upset. Stick with the PP. Don't sweat the calories. Read Mike Eades' blog. He's had a lot of stuff lately on calories.

If you are wigged about blood lipids and such, work the plan. It'll solve what's bothering you. Gotta work it at 90%+ though.

[Anniesnan]

I have been off plan and I feel it.

Miserable and retaining water, I look like someone has pumped me full of embalming fluid - not a pretty picture:eek:

did at least some moving and shaking:rolleyes:
and my mental exercises.

[Bonnie]

Happy Thanksgiving to our Canadian friends!

The library is closed for Columbus day, but instead of a day off, we get to go to Staff Development Day. Oh joy, oh joy though actually the speakers today were top notch, including a keynote address from John Waters. He's a little... how shall I put this...eccentric, but a very entertaining speaker. I am now the proud owner of an autographed dvd of the original Hairspray. My main workshop was on library security and he was quite good too.

You all would have been proud. I had a protein shake before going so was able to ignore all of the carby breakfast foods and just had a slice of cantaloupe and a couple strawberries. Then after Waters' talk, I stayed in line for an autograph on the dvd. I didn't really care about the autograph, but it kept me from the pastry temptations. Of course lunch can always be a problem at these things, but they had a nice salad bar and ham and tuna salads besides all of the carby things so I was okay there. And at dessert, I pulled out my drop spindle. I can't eat while spinning so it kept me busy and away from the desserts.

Bonnie

[Dharmalisa]

Hi group. I'm on plan still. Weekend went well.

I'm contemplating the calorie thing lately. I want to lose weight, but I don't want to yo-yo ANY MORE. I'm just afraid to only count protein and carbs and eat til satiated. I don't trust my 49 yr old hormonal body to do right by me!!!

I lost 2 lbs last week and average calories for Monday thru Saturday were 1536 (fitday). ECC 31. Protein 84. What bothers me is that I'm reading all this stuff (right now in GCBC) about starvation diets at 1600 to 1800 calories a day!!! Does that just mean a low-fat diet at that calorie level?? I'm hoping that a higher fat diet at the same level will be different.

I made two giant batches of my home-made chocolate chip cookies this weekend (I know they're bad, but my boys really love them - I use CO and butter not shortening so I feel like at least fat wise they're healthier). I didn't eat any. Very proud of myself for that. I've been able to forgo things a lot easier this last week. There was pie today at work and I didn't eat it either. I think reading GCBC helps me too!!!! Puts the FEAR in me!

[Rhyme'n Reason]

Congratulations to all who are having a "yes" day.

To those in Canada--I hope you had a blessed time with family and friends as you celebrated Thanksgiving.

I'm thankful for God's grace in my life. Also, I'm grateful for my wonderful husband. He is such a support to me. And I appreciate so much having a place to share and get answers to questions about working this plan. To all of you who help this board run--thanks.

Today is a "yes" so far. I had my usual sausage/cheese wrap and mocha shake for breakfast, a salami and cheese wrap for lunch and an orange shake after school. I'm about to go home and grab some leftover chicken for supper. I made barbecued chicken from a Food Network recipe, substituting low carb ingredients, and it is yummy.

I exercised some discipline to get my water in--always a difficult thing for me. I brought bottled water to school and vowed not to drink coffee until the water was gone. Then I did the same thing in the afternoon. Now I only need another 16 oz and I'll be done. I still need to do some exercise--perhaps a walk tonight. I'm not worried about the mental challenge because my brain is still recovering from the workout I gave it today in school.

Have a wonderful evening--

Ruth

[Gaelen]

I'm contemplating the calorie thing lately. I want to lose weight, but I don't want to yo-yo ANY MORE. I'm just afraid to only count protein and carbs and eat til satiated. I don't trust my 49 yr old hormonal body to do right by me!!!

First, congrats on the yes day, and the good weekend.
But Dharmalisa, you know what? The HARDest part of any way of eating is learning to trust yourself, 49 y.o. hormonal body and all. Use Fitday to track if you want an overall picture, but unless you have less than 10% of your current body weight to lose, DO NOT SWEAT THE CALORIES. On WW, I was always in the 1440 calories per day to lose group. On PP, I lost best between 1400 and 1600 calories per day...and there were lots of days when I was over 1600 calories. Losing your fear of calories is like losing your fear of fat...it's a learning process, but it's a process you really do have to go through if you're going to get to the other side of understanding weight management.

Speaking of that, Feelix--before you start mixing and matching basic Protein Power with something like intermittent fasting (which as most people do it actually qualifies as timed eating periods and calorie restriction), you really ought to try actually committing to following the plan, as written, for a period of time that's long enough to actually measure some sort of progress. That's not 'off and on,' which is only toying at the idea. It's giving it a full-steam-ahead commitment to see whether you can do it, and whether it actually works for you.

Results on this plan and on any other aren't always an instant thing--but if you don't give yourself time to learn the fundamentals in a context you can live with, then you're not really doing yourself any favors...you're just yo-yoing with a different set of diet criteria.

Why not see if you can follow the program as it was designed for 30 consecutive days, starting with your last 'yes' day? And *then* if you're not experiencing success in some area that you can measure, if you're still having cravings, if you still can't stick to getting in your protein and controlling your carbs in a conventional eating pattern, it might be time to consider whether you need to try something else.

BTW, the onion pie sounds wonderful...

[maxlharris]

Bonnie: Good for you. Rock on.

Dharma: The calorie restriction featured in the diets cited in GCBC are probably low fat or "better" fat diets (where they replace saturated fat with vegetable oils and transfats... boy did they miss the boat there). Eades wrote a blog about the Keys Minnesota study people. I cannot imagine a world where Ancel Keys would run a calorie restriction diet that wasn't low in sat fats at least. FWIW: When I was eating 3 squares and stalled late last year, I was doing about 1500-1700 kcal on an average day. Not really tracking for cals, just tracking everything else in fitday. Was full and sated, and losing slowly. Upping calories after the new year moved the scale quite a bit more effectively for a while. But, the thing is, when you have a lot to lose (+10% total weight), it's really about the macronutrients more than the calories. Carbs low, fat moves out. Heart gets better. Etc etc etc.

To Whom It May Concern: Yes for the day, 3 in a row, and 5 for the month.

FWIW: I'm doing something a little different. I'm not setting a specific goal for days on plan. I'm just going to see how high I can push it. I think I will track it with baseball feats that I hold special. First up, 13, the AL record for consecutive games with at least 1 RBI, Mike Sweeney (1999 KC) and Taffy Wright (1941, ChiSox). And on and on.

[Ammy]

Oh joy, oh joy though actually the speakers today were top notch, including a keynote address from John Waters. He's a little... how shall I put this...eccentric, but a very entertaining speaker. I am now the proud owner of an autographed dvd of the original Hairspray. My main workshop was on library security and he was quite good too.

Bonnie, I originally read this as JOHN WATERS spoke on LIBRARY SECURITY!!
I thought what an odd subject for him to choose!!!

:suspicious::lol::lol:

Then I re-read it SLOWER and realized you were talking about TWO different speakers!
FUNNY!

[Shadow]

Bonnie - I am definitely proud of you!

Sarah - I must agree with Pat. You really need to diligently follow PP for a period of time before jumping ship and doing something else. If you never stick to anything, then no matter what you try, it's not going to work ;). And I hope you know that's all being said as a "been there, done that, have the tee shirt" kinda statment - not as a criticism :).

Today was a yes for me.

[oceanblueLA]

Gaelen and Max, you always have such good information. Thanks for that.

I am a yes for today. Grateful for that. :-)

[gitfiddle]

The chocolate is a billion times better than the vanilla. It needs stirring and you gotta eat it really cold. It's not real pudding, but real pudding doesn't have 20g of protein in a 180g serving.
Exactly! I view it as a tool, not an indulgence. The fact that I still have some in the pantry after probably three years attests to that. :D And I know about the vanilla because I bought single servings of both before I did the case of chocolate. It has to be very cold, too!

I can take a YES for Monday!

[maxlharris]

Just had a chocolate that had been sitting in the fridge at work. Keep it as close to the cooling unit as the space will allow. It wasn't a sexy indulgence, but it was better than mixing up a shake. And it was nice to have something different.

[hawk]

I want the sexy indulgence!:peeved: