Challenge: Rocktober 15th: Make Lemonade (SF)

[maxlharris]

Or don't make lemonade. But find the way to take what you have and make it better. A skill that's good here (and that the take lemons, make lemonade logic is based on) is lateral thinking. For more on what that's about, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lateral_thinking

At any rate, as we attempt to do better with what we're dealt, here's a classic, that's actually used (or was, the metagame is fast in interview questions now) in MBA style job interviews.

Why is it better to have round manhole covers than square ones?

Don't look it up. Just think on it. If you know it already, don't blurt.

This might count as your mental challenge for the day.

I'm off on mine, as I attempt to prep my streak to enter double digits tomorrow. Today, we merely reach for 9 in a row.

[Gaelen]

Nine in a row is a fine goal, Max...
What about the rest of the challengers?
It's mid-month, time for a quick checkup.

How many of the last 15 days have been a yes-on plan for you?
Where are you on your measurement of choice?
Do you see any tie-in between the two...? :idea:

Is your glass of no-sugar lemonade half-empty :thumbsdown: ...or half-full? :thumbsup:

[Benay]

I am 15 for 15. After having mysteriously gained 3 pounds, I just as mysteriously lost them over 10 days later and have lost 2 more ever more mysteriously. They will probably not stay off as that has not been my pattern to date. They come off, rebound back up, then slowly, slowly, slowly go down again. Our bodies all react so differently to this plan. So today my glass of lemonade is half full and grateful to have the lemons to make the lemonade.

[Ottawa]

I'm 12 for 15. Two days over on carbs, one day under on Protein. That puts me on a 2 day streak.;):o;)

Measurement choice is the scale, although this morning I moved to my last belt loop hole. This will be teh third time buying new belts since my old 56" days.:exclamation:

The glass is half full ... with SF lemonade.

Several of us at work begin a 2 month diet/fitness program/way of eating for a $10.00 entry fee. I phoned or emailed 7 people that I work with last week and 5 have committed to it. The other two want to see what the others do before committing. The prize will be split for greatest % weight lost and the other half for total pounds. I did it this way since the only woman is much lighter and has less to lose and two people voiced concern since the weights range from 260 to 150.

Max, I was writing the wrong answer down (easier to insert a circle with beveled edges over the hole) when I pictured doing it with a square one and realized that there is a much better reason. You could have a real problem with a square manhole.

On track and a workout planned for this evening. We weigh in later this morning and I have fish, veggies and some fruit for dinner.

[Missy]

I don't know the answer to your question Max...BUT...if I did....you can BET I'd "BLURT IT OUT!!!!" :p:D...but, I'm curious? :paranoid: I'll be patient.

I was thinking....because all the pipes are circular...and well, they have a 'theme' :D...and..they don't want to build a square pipe plant. lol :D IS THAT NOT A GIRL THOUGHT PROCESS OR WHAT!!!! :D:eek::paranoid:

[Claudette]

Amen and amen to the lemondade theme. mine is half-full. glad also, to have the lemons (PP Plan) to make mine sf.

14 on out of 15 days. not too bad for me.

I am still at the same weight, but inches must be changing as I am wearing a size smaller scrub top.:D

don't know why the round manhole is better, but I feel you could have a big problem with a square one. will wait for your answer later today.

I'm off and running today, on plan.

Claudette

[hawk]

Not blurting.

My own lemonade statement...is..You can make the best of it or the worst of it. No matter what happens, we have choices.I don't want a safe life, I want an adventure. What makes you come alive?Don't do what you have to , or what everyone thinks you should do.Do what makes you feel really alive. That's what you were created for. dON'T WAIST TIME WATCHING TV...watching everyone else live..get out and do it yourself.

What are the posibilities of your lemons?..Lemon chiffon pie?? Lemon mirangue pie. Lemons slices on your venison to take away the gamey taste? lemon cleaner to take stains out of white fabrics or your hands?

I'm looking at a bigger challenge right now. Trying not to be scared.
I need to contact a doctor and get another appointment. Whatever the outcome, I will try to make the best of the situation.

In the meantime I will keep on with my diet and biking. Today is supposed to be the last sunny day for while, so I am planning some outside yardwork. Then I may go find some adventure.

[Shadow]

Morning, all :). Mid-month check in - I am 15 for 15. My measurement of choice has made no change but that's okay. Once you reach maintenance, there's very little exterior changing going on ;). My glass is definitely half-full :D. As the bumper sticker says, "Change is inevitable, struggle is optional." It's all in the attitude - and I prefer to come out on the winning side of it!

[Feelix]

Good Morning!

I'm looking for feedback. :-)

I went to my orientation at the gym. Here are my numbers.
Triglyceride 95 They say "Normal"
cholesterol 190 They say "Borderline High"
HDL cholesterol 46 They say "middle"
LDL calculated 125 They say "near/above optimal" High

39.2% Body Fat

Her advice?
1 hour of Cardio a day
3 days a week of 1 hour strength training for maintenance 5 days a week to lose fat.
Eat rice, chicken and steamed veggies - no salt


OI where do I begin? First I plan to work the Slow Burn Method so the 5 days at an hour a pop is out of the question - THANK GOD. Can you imagine what people who did know about SLOW BURN? I would quit before I started. That's a huge commitment.

I am in the middle of Good Calories, Bad Calories. (http://www.amazon.com/Good-Calories-Bad-Gary-Taubes/dp/1400040787/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-5673705-3100037?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1192463671&sr=8-1) Heavy reading. :-) I have also picked up The Great Cholesterol Con. (http://www.amazon.com/Great-Cholesterol-Con-Really-Disease/dp/1844543609/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/002-5673705-3100037?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1192463786&sr=1-2)
So I am trying to gain a understanding of what the numbers mean. I would love to hear feedback. I assume y'all have been through all of this.

Thanks again for your support and wisdom!

[gitfiddle]

I'm pretty sure I had at least one no this month. Maybe last week. I haven't got time to go look for it and it's not what's driving me on this challenge anyway.

My glass is half full and I have a good attitude today despite a short night's sleep. :peeved: Stayed up too late again. I'm sleeping better lately, and without the help of melatonin.

I got my copy of GCBC, which I will begin when I finish my current read. I have one pair of glasses (belonging to DH) which enable me to read a hand-held book comfortably without squinting. They're so strong that I can't see anything else. They don't work on the computer, but they're great for small print.

Shake for breakfast, meatloaf & feta for lunch. Dinner will be caught between work and photoshop class. I forgot to bring extra food. :o

[hawk]

I emptied the trailer of the rest of the mulch that has sat inside ever since I fractured my leg. I mowed the front yard with a push mower. Great excersize for my leg. I cleaned the kitchen floor and am starving for lunch.

If life gives you lemons..invite me over.....I'll bring the taquila and salt!:D

So I am going to scrounge around and see what I can come up with.:paranoid:

[maxlharris]

Good Morning!

I'm looking for feedback. :-)

I went to my orientation at the gym. Here are my numbers.
Triglyceride 95 They say "Normal"
cholesterol 190 They say "Borderline High"
HDL cholesterol 46 They say "middle"
LDL calculated 125 They say "near/above optimal" High

39.2% Body Fat

Her advice?
1 hour of Cardio a day
3 days a week of 1 hour strength training for maintenance 5 days a week to lose fat.
Eat rice, chicken and steamed veggies - no salt


Don't sweat the salt. That's a con job. Taubes bent that one in an article.
Work the plan. That will bring numbers into shape.
Let's see how bad this all is.
TriG are the most important number. You are <150, so you're fine.
HDL: Little low. You probably want it over 50. Exercise (like slow burn) and red wine should help. Protein power should help too.

From protein power, we'll work your ratios.
First: total/HDL = 4.13. You'd like it under 4.
LDL/HDL = 2.7. The Eades like it below 3. So, you're fine there.

Work the program, and start lifting, and you'll be fine in no time. And don't eat the rice.

[Ammy]

Her advice?
1 hour of Cardio a day
3 days a week of 1 hour strength training for maintenance 5 days a week to lose fat.



WHAT?? Who has time to execise that much? And who would be abel to MAINTAIN that level of working out?????!!!
Too crazy for the average schedule in MY opinion (take what you want and leave the rest).

[hawk]

I wonder what lemons would taste like in a protien shake?

[hawk]

I agree with Amy.....I lost 22 pounds in 12 weeks doing lo carb and 3 days a week of 20 minute cardio intervals and 3 days a week of 45 minute slow count progressive weight training. One day off. That was it. I lost fat and gained muscle . I have the start and finish pics to prove it. Jan 2007 till April 2007. 4 inches off my waist and who now how much off my back side... 4 more inches...Major improvement. No need to kill yourself for that long in the gym.

[Ottawa]

I would want some fruit in it as well but an ounce of Lemon juice is under 2 ECC and would likely work in a shake.

Relief has a recipe for lemon curd that is incredible as well.

Since IF'ing I find it hard to keep my water up and often make a very large drink with an ounce of lemon and some sucralose to bring me to my target.

[Ammy]

I use Lemonade Chrystal Light in my TSF shakes...they're really good! Although it sounds gross...the powdered milk calms down the acidity of the lemon flavoring!

Mmmm

[hawk]

lemonade crystal light has aspartame and yellow #5. Both major allergy reactions with me.

[Ammy]

okay, yes...but my point is that it is lemon flavored shake...and it's good!!

so you could probably use real lemons and make a great shake!

[gitfiddle]

A lemon flavor works well with different fruits. Carlsons fish oil is lemony and it disappears in a shake. Also, I would think that lemon or lemon juice would taste like lemon pudding with anything creamy. Maybe with a little vanilla, too. Sounds good right now!

[Gaelen]

lemon vanilla, or lemon almond...mmmm!

Well, I've had 14 out of 15 'yes' days, and one day when I know I undershot my protein because I took pain meds and slept most of the day and night.

Howevah...NO pain meds for the last 36 hours, and only one 100mg Celebrex in the last 72 hours, and three three three nights of (relatively) pain free sleep have made me a much happier, nicer person. ;) I decided to try a feather bed on top of my futon, to see if that helped with the back pain. It is such an amazing feeling that I'm considering buying a second featherbed for my little trailer to use as the couch/bed. I don't think I ever want to sleep without one, ever again!

The scale is still at 186, but I'm wearing two pairs of pants I haven't been able to wear since before the first cancer surgery two+ years ago...and the tape measure is down a half-inch at both waist and lower abdomen, which feels like a huge achievement after being told there would be nothing they could do to help build up my abs after the surgeries and associated hernias. And best of all, the back exercises seem to be working...one of the reasons I've been able to wean off the pain meds. So definitely glass half-full today! Good Mondays, everyone!

[Feelix]

Don't sweat the salt. That's a con job. Taubes bent that one in an article.
Work the plan. That will bring numbers into shape.
Let's see how bad this all is.
TriG are the most important number. You are <150, so you're fine.
HDL: Little low. You probably want it over 50. Exercise (like slow burn) and red wine should help. Protein power should help too.

From protein power, we'll work your ratios.
First: total/HDL = 4.13. You'd like it under 4.
LDL/HDL = 2.7. The Eades like it below 3. So, you're fine there.

Work the program, and start lifting, and you'll be fine in no time. And don't eat the rice.


Thank you! I appreciate your input! How do you stay on top of the eades information... do you have the books memorized? :)

I love that I get to drink red wine!

I took the words from the lady with a grain of salt (no pun intended) and couldn't believe that she was telling that that success came from 12 hours of solid "working out" a week. and that doesn't include travel to get to and from the gym.

I have not been on-plan consistently to see the scale drop more than 7lbs. (still excited about the 7lbs) I have enjoyed the past week of exercise. Although I haven't seen a change in the scale, my attitude is so much better.

So here is my new plan. (aren't plans created to revisit, revise and recommit?) I commit to 5 days. That's right 5 days on-plan. (I did great planning my meals in advanced last week- until Sunday when i didn't have a plan)
5 days all food and exercise details planned. (Red Wine already on menu) I'll see you on Friday with a OP results! I have meal planning already scheduled to happen Saturday Morning .

You all are the best support. I appreciate the time and energy you invest in me, to help me stay on-plan.

HUGS

Glass Half Full of Lemonade

[Rhyme'n Reason]

Happy Monday to everyone--

Well, Max, you certainly know how to "read my mail." I am focused on gratitude today because I had a fairly "witchy" day yesterday. I think I was mostly just tired after our trip Saturday.

So, making lemonade for me right now is a realistic view of where I am with my weight and an understanding of the necessity of doing this plan. I am grateful it's available, because this finally makes sense after doing all of the low fat, low calorie "diets" that lead to feelings of deprivation and hunger.

As for this month, I'm good for 14 days. Saturday was not quite on, but not too bad. My measurements of choice are the scales and my clothing. The scales (although undependable) reflect a loss of somewhere around 10 pounds. I'll know more definitely tomorrow after my doctor visit (accurate scales). My clothing is clearly looser and more comfortable.

Gaelen--glad to hear you're sleeping better and having less pain

Hawk--best wishes on your upcoming doctor visit--hope he can give you some relief.

[Bonnie]

I have been yes for 11 out of 14 days, and I'm on track for today (15th day). I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I have broken the plateau. Last Monday I had dropped 1 pound from the Monday before, but I have been running between 152 and 149. When I weighed the on the first, I was at 151, last Monday I was at 150. There I stayed all week. When I weighed in this morning I was between 148 and 149. I'm afraid to say that too loud, but that is the lowest I have been this century.

Bonnie

[Feelix]

Bonnie!!!!!!!!!!!!
CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!

That is awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!

[Ottawa]

Total: 1706 IF 23/1
Fat: 120
Carbs: 63 - 26 = 37
Fiber: 26
Protein: 112

Food is on track, work was busy and I'm going to skip my workout and find something creative tonight. Today was weigh-in day for 5 of us at work to begin a competative weight loss challenge until December 15th. My bathroom scales are quite different from the shipping scale we used this morning (12 pound difference) but I'll stick with what I have at home and clothes would have been a few pounds. We'll weigh in every 2 weeks and the prize is split in 2. Half to greatest change in % of body weight reduction and half to the most pounds lost.

[Shadow]

Gaelen - What an awesome report :thumbsup:! Congratulations on everything :)!

Bonnie - Way to go to you, too :D!!!

Today is a 'yes' day for me.

[Claudette]

Great going, Gaalen!

Congrats, Bonnie! I can hardly wait till I am below 150.

Today, recieved my labwork back, MD simply wrote, "excellent". He didn't do choleserol, etc, this time, but my metabolic profile and fasting sugar were normal. He will do cholesterol in 3 months and I am expecting great results.

Today, was a resounding yes.

Lemons, I love them squeezed over salad. Yummy, what a portable salad dressing.

Hugs,
Claudette

[Anniesnan]

I was going to say, I have no idea how many total "on plan" days I had so far, when I realized, YES, I do.

I've been journalling - or logging - columns, in an old fashioned, bound, theme tablet;) daily:D
I'm 10/14 with a current streak going of 6, planning on making it
11/15 by the end of tonight:D

I am in pain, but GOOD PAIN:D.
I had a luncheon - although I didn't eat much - and got off the subway at the wrong stop (plain stupidity) and, thus, walked about 2 1/2 miles or so, half of it at very high speed:D. Second half, I decided to go back to the same subway stop, but I walked more leisurely, enjoying the sun and the tourists.
Then, when dh came home, we went for our "normal" walk. So, instead of about 2 miles (or almost 3 on a "good" day), I did over 4:D.

And, when I weighed in this morning, I was down 2.6 for the month of October, so far:D.

[maxlharris]

I completed day #9 on plan. I am 11/15 I think. Maybe 12.

Manholes are round because square ones can be turned on the diagonal and dropped down the hole. Round ones cannot.

I also like the idea of round manholes being easier to move (you can lever them up and roll them to where you need them). Square wheels work about as well as eating 30,000 calories a day.

[Shadow]

Great going, Agnes :D :D :D!

[gitfiddle]

Hey, everybody is sounding so upbeat and cheerful! I love it!

I'll have to take a no for Monday, partly because I didn't get any exercise and partly because I overdid it when my blood sugar dropped and ate about 50 carbs (panicky) to bring it back up. I'm happy because that is a sign that I'm eating correctly and the one little diabetic pill I take is becoming redundant. My next goal will be to ditch the meds. :nod:

[Ottawa]

Good Luck Carol.

I decided to check blood sugar several times every week to see any patterns from how I eat/exercise. The numbers that are highest is the morning after an intense workout. They sometimes cross the threshhold line of borderline diabetic but normally stay in the safe zone. IF has given me a slightly higher safety margin as well.

[oceanblueLA]

Hello all (a day late)!

I am a yes for the day. Interesting to read how people choose to make lemonade out of lemons. I'm always looking for the glass half full of lemonade. And I usually find it. ;-)

Gaelen... I went to your blog and was so moved and inspired. I LOVE your little trailer! It's adorable! I know the addition of a down mattress will take it from a 9 to a 10.

Blue