January 2009 Basics Challenge - Day 19

[gitfiddle]

Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Good morning and Happy Monday! Hope you had a wonderful weekend. Lets make the second half of this month even better than the first half!

I’ve been seeing progress among us. If you haven’t read Dr. Mike’s two-part blog on why low-carb is harder the second time around, I would recommend it. Even if this is your very first time, you can at least see the mistakes that are made and maybe keep from making them yourself. Knowledge is power, right?

Breakfast will be a strawberry protein shake. Lunch will be some sausage patties and possibly cheese-bread. I’m going to try seasoning the cheese before I nuke it. Dinner will be pork loin and vegetables.

[Puddin]

Good morning America. Things here seem to be going pretty well even though yesterday evening I had a dried fig attack - ate three with some almonds. Not feeling minimally guilty because they were really good;)

Today is another day so I decided that I would definitely take the knitting needles out and when I get fig-itchy I'll just do a few hundred rows and maybe finish that vest.

This morning had a revoloopsie made with 3 tsp of almond meal (they are really better tasting this way even though I had to up my fat and calorie intake) Next time I will use the original recipe which, however, I find rather sticky. Inside the roll I put 3 pieces of bacon which I nuked. About two hours later I had a piece of that caulicheeseegg cassarole from two days ago. It was soooo good.
Lunch was some stewed guinea hen, a half cup of very thinly sliced fennel bulb and a 1/4 piece of that cauli thingy which is, finally, finished.
Dinner? Still too full to think about it.

Did some serious studying in this site and in the Atkins site and decided to reduce my carbs to around 20 for the next 5 days. Will eliminate seeds, walnuts, almonds and really reduce cheese. I can't seem to get the weight loss going again and after having read Eades's suggestions and after having looked at ALL the pictures he put in his blog of the meals he eats...sort of made me realize where I'm making mistakes.

Eliminated milk and bought some cream. Still feeling terribly guilty using it. Guess that old dogma dies really hard. Only use it in the morning though. Don't really need the extra calories and I actually do like black coffee. Not using it to cook with though. Prefer adding a bit of 'stracchino' a really soft cheese we have here. It cooks beautifully and leaves a really creamy taste. It has no preservatives -only whole milk and renet.

Am thinking of how to make a pie crust with the Caulicauli that M. Eades had in her cooksite. Bet that once the Caulicauli is ready all I really need to do is whip some whites to really stiff, add the cauli and then delicately push it down in a pie tin which I lined with oiled parchment. Definitely will give it a spin when I find some good caulis.

Having a lot of fun with the recipes guys! Was very disappointed that I couldn't register for the LCL magazine. Kept giving me an ERROR page when I tried to sign-up.

Have a really good rest of Monday. Going to have a read then outside to collect the olive netting and get it amassed so that I can fold it starting tomorrow.:thumbsup:

[Mitra]

Hello Carol, Puddin :).

Nice quote, Carol. I've been struggling with low energy for a couple of years, but I've noticed recently that I'm starting to feel a bit of enthusiasm again, which is very nice. The first thing it was directed at was experimenting with some drawing & painting, then I dived into doing some knitting. It doesn't much matter what the focus is, it's just been good to be able to enjoy the enthusiasm.

Other good news is that I weighed myself this morning and have lost two of the four pounds I picked up over Christmas :D.

[Jackie]

Happy Monday to you all,

Exercise in already today, supps done and food is not as planned as I would like. Yesterday was a fun filled day of activity.

Breakfast will be a shake probably pumpkin or maybe coffee????
Lunch will be a flatout rolled with something
Dinner will be chicken drums and green beans

I will do some cooking ahead tonight as I have nothing on the agenda as of yet!

[gitfiddle]

I can't seem to get the weight loss going again and after having read Eades's suggestions and after having looked at ALL the pictures he put in his blog of the meals he eats...sort of made me realize where I'm making mistakes.Wasn't that interesting? I thought so, too. He can be so funny! Puddin, I enjoy reading about your journey. I think it's only natural to have some hesitation about increasing fat, since we've been so indoctrinated in low-fat cuisine. It seems to work, though, and it keeps us from being hungry. If you don't eat carbs, the only other choices are fat and protein! :nod:

I've been struggling with low energy for a couple of years, but I've noticed recently that I'm starting to feel a bit of enthusiasm again, which is very nice. The first thing it was directed at was experimenting with some drawing & painting, then I dived into doing some knitting. It doesn't much matter what the focus is, it's just been good to be able to enjoy the enthusiasm.Yes, it's so nice to have. Low energy makes my life blah and it's easy to become depressed. I like to bounce, at least a little! Good job at shedding some of the Christmas gain. :cool:

[Billie]

Here are my plans for today:
Breakfast, Eggs, bacon on LC bread, latte
Lunch: not sure
Dinner, Beef roast with asparagus and salad with a few slices of pear, nuts and feta.

Up and moving, going to the gym this AM and doing a few errands. Will Rogers said, "Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there." Sooo Need to get the house back in shape after the weekend and prepare for the work week ahead. Nice to be off, I feel like I have had an extended Christmas vacation, and boy did I need it! Lost back one of the pounds I gained in Colorado, I will take them all!

Have a great day everyone, Thanks Carol for the great enthusiastic quote to start my day, I whole-heartily agree!

[Feelix]

Having a good Monday Morning. My LO is happy... that goes a long way! Breakfast is a protein shake. Lunch will be quiche. Supper is not planned.

[maxlharris]

I'm a little inspired, so I'm off to the slow cooker for some eggy bacony thing. Will be ready by noon-ish if I start right now. Protein shake and meds for breakfast.

On to the soap box: Full disclosure, I was an Obamite from about when his campaign started. I am a little upset at the scope of the inaugural proceedings. The man (who indeed puts his pants on one leg at a time) was elected in large part because of the economic malaise, which is part is due to profligate government spending (that Iraq thing, and those tax rebates). I do not believe it is seemly to have large, publicly funded proceedings and multiple balls in a time when most of the country (not me so much, but most people) believe we are headed for a few years of tight times. It is reminiscient of the (probably false) line of Marie Antoinette vis-a-vis bread shortages and cakes. So, while I was a long supporter of Obama and I understand the moment, I am not watching a single moment of coverage. This is my protest.

[lisanurse81]

Here we go again.. Still 168 this am. Seriously. I keep taking a deep breath, saying "This is okay. I am healthier, and feel better." So nothing eaten yet today, maybe sausage for bfst, I think we will end up with wings for dinner since I didn't make them Saturday. Lunch will be... hmmm don't know yet.

[Puddin]

I hate scales. In fact, one of the things I promise myself every day is not to hop on it. I weigh myself on the first day of the month and on the last - no kidding. Keep a food journal, or rather, pieces of paper stashed in the PPLifeplan book which keep stuffing it more and more. All those calculations and scribblings:p

Bet that if you try not to hop on the scale too often you'll be happier. They're nasty little buggers

[Anniesnan]

Carol - I have personally witnessed, since summer, just what enthusiasm can accomplish. We have a new administrator at work - thank you very much - and her enthusiasm is so contagious. I've actually enjoyed going to work again and knocking things out.
I just need to channel some of that into my personal life;)

couldn't get to sleep last night. result of one too many days sleeping in.:rolleyes:

dh & I were both heading towards trouble yesterday - nothing planned to do, cold and snowy out - so I suggested we spend some time cleaning the basement.

about 10 bags of garbage - he really helps me throw out things I'd have a tendency to save (tendency - what an understatement) that's how the basement became chock full to begin with

I'm hoping I learned enough of a lesson, though. Some of my childhood photos and mementos - my grammar school autograph book and some grammar school photos - were destroyed. I didn't realize that at one point we had a leak from our tub - an over enthusiastic showerer and a tub that needed re-grouting - and it dripped just enough into a plastic storage bin that didn't have a snug cover and my stuff was ruined beyond all recovery.

If it wasn't such a mess down there the bin would have been in a better spot and wouldn't have gotten wet at all.


of course, we haven't even really made a dent, and I've got two gigundo piles of shredding to do - gonna take a couple of hours for that - not to mention hours of sorting through all the photos that are now bent, etc., to see what is worth salvaging.


so far, so good today, though. I actually haven't eaten yet - dh went out earlier and I've been waiting for him to come back .
As soon as I make breakfast, he'll show up:eek: so I'm running on 2 cups of coffee:D

[gitfiddle]

Carol - I have personally witnessed, since summer, just what enthusiasm can accomplish. We have a new administrator at work - thank you very much - and her enthusiasm is so contagious. I've actually enjoyed going to work again and knocking things out. Agnes, enthusiasm is truly contagious, isn't it?! And I totally understand about the basement situation. I'm not sure if my marriage is ready for an intervention (kidding) but it's not MY fault you have to walk through sideways! ;)

[blueriversam]

So far, so good! There was no food in my parents' house besides bagels and eggs. I am going through a hating eggs phase, so I just had coffee. I did some work, then I went back home. I stopped on the way home and got a cheeseburger and ate it without the bun.

I am now in my office and to my delight I left a can of salted almonds here, yay! I am not hungry at all, but if I get hungry, it's there.

I'm in super procrastination mode. I have to finish up this grant proposal, but I really have 2 weeks to do it and my advisor might decide to not do this project, anyways. I'm fine with that. He's not here today. I should be skiing, but I agreed to allow a student to retake the final exam from last semester today.

I guess I could do my taxes :)

[Gabriel Guzman]

Just a thought about calories... I've been reading some great and inspirational posts and I've also read some 'totals' for the day. It was interesting to me to see the calorie count as well, especially when the number seems high while the ECC intake is right on the mark. I thought it would be useful to mention that once we are on Protein Power (and remember, the closest the better), the standard calorie rule doesn't necessarily apply. By that I mean that recomposing a menu based on our minimum protein intake and the level of carbohydrate intake we choose very seldom will reach the caloric intake that is usually recommended by dieticians.

For example, someone like me would need 2300-2500 calories per day, according to standard tables and based on my size. That number considers that my diet is composed as recommended by the nutritional establishment. However, constructing my menus as recommended in Protein Power (you know... protein intake based on my size and level of physical activity, and say the 'intervention' phase of the plan -30-40 gr ECC/day), I don't go beyond 1700 cal/day, sometimes a little over 1800 cal/day. How come? Well, the standard calorie rule comes from a computation of numbers which, among other things, take into account something called basal metabolic rate, which in turn takes into account something called the 'respiratory quotient'.

The respiratory quotient is the ratio of the volume of carbon dioxide expired to the volume of oxygen consumed by an organism or cell in a given period of time. On a low carb diet, structured as recommended in Protein Power, carbohydrates are not the main source of fuel, as we all know now. The body relies more in energy produced from fat and to supply its energy demand, and to use fat for energy oxygen is required. In terms of the respiratory quotient, the amount of oxygen consumed when fat is the main fuel for energy is larger than the amount consumed when carbohydrate is the main fuel for energy. Thus, the actual ratio when mainly fat is used for energy is smaller than that when carbs are used for energy.

Now the basal metabolic rate, which is a measurement of the energy required to keep the body functioning at rest, involves the respiratory quotient to determine the amount of energy needed to keep the body functioning while at rest. This is what is used to determine the minimum caloric intake. Therefore, if the respiratory quotient is different when fat is the main fuel, then the basal metabolic rate will also be different depending on which nutrient is the main nutrient used to produce energy.

As it turns out, when we adopt a low-carbohydrate diet, the respiratory quotient is smaller than that usually used to calculate basal metabolic rate, which in turn would spit out a smaller number of minimum calories/day.

When I compared my recommended caloric intake to the total calories from a strict PP day, the difference was ~21%. That means that if I use the standard calorie rule, I would be overestimating my caloric intake by 21% and since my carb allotment provides only a small amount of those calories, then I would either have to increase the amount of fat or protein to reach that larger number of calories. Increasing protein wouldn't be a problem, except that the satiating properties of protein make it difficult for me to go above a certain amount of it without feeling full very soon; increasing fat content, on the other hand, wouldn't be a problem either but if my purpose is to lose weight, then I don't need the extra fat in the diet as it wouldn't help me induce the caloric deficit I need so my body starts using the fat in store, rather than the fat that comes in every meal.

Interestingly, the difference between the respiratory quotient calculated assuming fat as the main fuel and that obtained assuming carbohydrate as the main fuel is 25%. This means that using the standard calorie rule to estimate our daily calories could very well overestimate our caloric intake by 25%, which in turn means that we would be eating more than what we really need. In my case, as explained above, I would be taking in 21% more unnecessary calories. Unfortunately, I don't think that online calculators consider this fact in their algorithms when estimating basal metabolic rates and I would bet that the trainer at the local gym where you go may not even be aware of this either.

To stop thinking about total calories and start thinking about how calories are handled in the body is, perhaps, the most difficult thing to do when we adopt a low-carbohydrate diet. Why? I'm sure there are many reasons... personally, at the beginning, I had to unlearn everything I thought I knew about nutrition (I was teaching about this stuff, mind you) and work out the numbers myself to see and recognize how misinformed I was. After so many years of being taught and told the 'calorie-is-a-calorie' nonsense, that idea was so ingrained in my brain that it took a while before I finally ditched it. I admit that getting rid of that actually made it easy for me to stick to the plan... one less thing to think about!!! Several years ago, I use to wirte on this board that "if we do this right (that is as recommended in PP, nothing more, nothing less and as close as we can), then our bodies won't have any other option but to respond, and in a good way..."

I always thought that when the Eades wrote 'calories do count... but not as much as you think', they probably didn't realize how powerful that statement was. They didn't say 'don't worry about calories', after all there seems to be a minimum under which nobody should go for prolonged periods, unless the circumstances are special and under strict monitoring (that number seems to be 800 or so). There are a number of physiological reasons why once the metabolic status changes in our bodies, after we adapt to use more fat than carbohydrate for energy, things like the respiratory quotient, basal metabolic rate, rate of fat synthesis and fat accumulation change but I don't think I want to bore you with those details unless there's interest from you that I do so.

Just remember that those studies that have used low-carbohydrate diets without caloric restriction (even some studies that have constructed a lame 'low-carb' diet) have shown a voluntary decrease in caloric intake in those who followed the low-carb diet, which usually was accompanied by an increase in protein intake without necessarily increasing fat intake (i.e. without adding extra fat). When our menus are constructed following the basic principles of Protein Power, calories do take care of themselves.

[Mitra]

Wow, Gabe, it's certainly good to have you back :D. I think that needs to be copied over to its own thread somewhere - there's too much interesting stuff for it to just drift into oblivion once today's over.

[Gabriel Guzman]

:) Thanks! It's good to be back!

Do you mean copying this post to its own thread within the Challenges?

[gitfiddle]

I agree, Gabe. That's a great reference document. I "knew" that a few years ago, but I'd forgotten the details.

[Karole]

Amen, Mitra. All of us need to read and reread that post!! Thanks Gabe.

Whew, am I glad this whirl wind week end is over and done with. If we weren't on the road, we were having company every min.

This morning has started out pretty hectice too--two appointments to keep in 2 different towns ! But now we are back home and things are settling down again. I've even managed to get to fitday to log in my meals. No exercise yet tho--but don't tell Shadow that.

Carol, I think that is why I like January so much-- it seems like all the newbies bring us a renewed sense of enthusiam that is hard to resist-- and who would want to anyway. Love it !!

[blueriversam]

Thanks for the input, Gabe! I wish you could continue your posts every day :) My bf has "sort of" been doing low carb, but he has not read any books about it, he has only been listening to my rants and watching what I eat. He is still completely convinced that eating fat will kill him and I have just been telling him not to worry about calories, that when he drops the carbs, he will no longer eat more than what he needs, naturally. He doesn't listen. I am going to NOT forget to drop off one of my copies of PPLP with him today.

[Mitra]

:) Thanks! It's good to be back!

Do you mean copying this post to its own thread within the Challenges?

I was thinking more of Making PP Work or the Science section, or maybe PP Lifestyle. Things in the challenge section tend to be more day to day stuff, so it would soon be buried.

[gitfiddle]

But now we are back home and things are settling down again. I've even managed to get to fitday to log in my meals. No exercise yet tho--but don't tell Shadow that. :eek: Shhhh! She'll hear you!

Carol, I think that is why I like January so much-- it seems like all the newbies bring us a renewed sense of enthusiam that is hard to resist-- and who would want to anyway. Love it !! I agree, Karole. Plus, we all gotta look good here! ;) I don't make new years resolutions, but I feel that January is a month of renewal.

[LBJ]

Good afternoon everyone just got back from the gym had my lunch and got a call to come in to work early. So i guess my day has been planned out for me allready. Meals have been made over the weekend so staying on plan. Sorry to hear about your stall Lisa but hang in there that scale will move for you. I stalled for over a month once and then things just took off. Give this woe some time the weight will come off but the health benefits are also important.

[maxlharris]

Today, I set up the TV to stream movies from NetFlix. That was a mission accomplished (through the Blu-Ray network player). I am trying to get my external drive to work with my computer again (it stopped on Thursday or Friday and it's very frustrating because my iTunes library is on there. Failure has been my companion on this one, so I'm going to call the pros in and let WD try and fix it. Depressing, but that's the state of the state.

Food has been good today and nothing ahead that would make it otherwise.

[lisanurse81]

Sorry to hear about your stall Lisa but hang in there that scale will move for you. I stalled for over a month once and then things just took off. Give this woe some time the weight will come off but the health benefits are also important.


Thanks for the support! I know it will too.....

[lisanurse81]

I hate scales. In fact, one of the things I promise myself every day is not to hop on it. I weigh myself on the first day of the month and on the last - no kidding. Keep a food journal, or rather, pieces of paper stashed in the PPLifeplan book which keep stuffing it more and more. All those calculations and scribblings:p

Bet that if you try not to hop on the scale too often you'll be happier. They're nasty little buggers


Sorry Puddin, but I must disagree. I tend to throw caution to the wind if I do not have my concrete number to go by every morning. I am WAY more strict with myself if I see that I am not losing. And on the other hand I am strict if I see that I AM losing, so that I continue to do so.

I keep a food journal on fitday, and also a log of my body measurements. I am analytical in nature and all these things weigh in on my progress, including how much better I feel. So taking into account all this information, I can better determine what works for me, discover trends, and stalls and re-evaluate what I am doing.

I lost 15 lbs doing lc last year, then over the summer I said to myself, I'll just maintain, eat what I want in moderation... I'll be okay.... Nope, didn't get on the scale but once a month... maybe. Gained back all but 4 of those hard-lost lbs. I refuse to do that again. And seems the only way is to consistenly look at all the numbers, even if I don't like what I see. I'm not trying to be happy in the short run, but content with who I am in the long run.

[Karole]

Lisa, I have found I have to weigh every day on maintenance just to make sure I don't get to far out on a limb.

But when I was in the losing process, I only weighed once a month as I am one of those people who drives themselves crazy if I weigh every day. My mood was down if I gained an oz. or up if I lost a pound. I couldn't take it, because there is naturally a fluctuation of weight day by day and it was too depressing to be jumping on a scale only to find that although I was dotting my I's and crossing my T's I had gained over night.

I guess it just varies with how some of us handle things.

Protein 85 Carbs 39 ecc 29 Calories 1400

Had a good day except I still haven't exercised grrrrrrr.
Gotta go do that and now.

[lisanurse81]

Here's the final count.. all done eating except a cup of herbal tea before bed.... Yep, cals are out the roof... will do better tomorrow... Good night all :O)

Calories 2,492
Fat 175.9
Carbohydrate 24.3 (ecc 18.9)
Dietary Fiber 5.4
Protein 187.3

[Gaelen]

I had a good day today--except I keep have more to-do list than day!
However, I'm flying to NYC tomorrow a.m., so the list has a hard-stop at 8:30 to drive to the airport.

Food was good today:
cinnamon hazelnut mocha protein shake
acquacotta con salsiccia (tomato-mushroom soup with sausage...in the recipe section!)
sauteed tofu and peppers in black bean sauce on a bed of spinach
some wasabi peas and nuts for a snack

I'm down four pounds--looks like for real. I'm also being considered for a clinical trial to investigate the effects of monitored exercise on post-chemo and post surgical cancer patients...fingers crossed. If I'm accepted, I'll get to work with a PT-focused personal trainer and coach for the next eight weeks...for FREE!

Since I'll be eating from craft services for part of the next three days, I'll be aiming at staying on travel-plan...about 50g ECC per day. But they did ask if I had special dietary needs, and I said I try to avoid carbs, processed foods and sugar (and I insist on serious coffee with real cream! ;) )

Yes--craft services--what they call the caterers for film shoots. I'm going to NYC to shoot a cancer survivor video for a website aimed at the newly diagnosed. I'm being limo'd here and there, put up in a cool hotel, taken to dinner at a fancy restaurant with the other three film subjects, and spending the next two days at a very cool film location a bit south of the city. So I won't be online much--but I will be reading.

Take care, and good Tuesdays everyone!

[Gabriel Guzman]

A good day today... dinner was the best! Billie made a filet roast that was to die for... We were all smacking our lips (including Polly!). I must have had, easily, 12 oz of that juicy meat. It was really yummy and within my goals today.

Using Truvía in my lattes turned out to be not at all bad... no aftertaste as I used to get when I used Stevia products before (which had all the components, not just the 'sweet' ones).

Have a great night everyone!

[BeccainSC]

Wrapping up my day. They're calling for snow here tomorrow, they've already cancelled school, but I'll still have to go out and about as my son is scheduled to get his wisdom teeth out. Somehow I don't think that will get cancelled.

For the day:

Protein: 130
Carbs: 42
Water: 128

I'm actually off from work the next 3 days. Dinner on two of them is iffy, so hopefully will do okay.

See you folks tomorrow.


'becca

[sagebrushsara]

Happy Monday to all. Hubby was home from work today so we kept each other on track. Breakfast was two pieces of bacon. Lunch was an omelet made with taco meat, peppers, onions and cheese. Snack was two romaine leaves with mayo and bacon. Dinner was salad with roast beef, chicken, cheese and bacon bits. Also had 3 oz. of red wine. Drank my water, took my supps and exercise was more yard work.

Totals: 91g protein, 14g ECC, 85g fat, 1276 cal

[blueriversam]

Breakfast: 2 sausage patties
Lunch: meatballs
dinner: I got take-in, bought 2 caesar salads with chicken, one for me, one for bf. After we finished eating and got ready for bed, he broke up with me. BUT, I did *not* go bingeing afterwards, which I am proud of. I just left and went home. I have no food at home, so no threat.

[gitfiddle]

Oh, Sam! (((hugs))) Be strong!

[Mitra]

(((Sam))), I'm sorry :(. Take care of yourself.

[Puddin]

Lisa, each of us has to deal with scales as they see fit. I personally don't have a good relationship with them because the ups and downs usually get me nervous. I certainly can understand your point of view though. A solid number written or seen can give us the umpf we need to speed ahead. And it is so satisfying when we see those numbers dipping;)

What is Truvia? And I noticed that many of you talk about 'lattes'. In Italy 'latte' is only the word for MILK, a product which I have literally taken out of my PP world because of the quantity of ECC. Thank you for being so patient with my questions. Even though I visit the States once a year, I noticed that in my absence new words, fads etc seems to blossom and I can't keep up.

[maxlharris]

Lisa, each of us has to deal with scales as they see fit. I personally don't have a good relationship with them because the ups and downs usually get me nervous....

What is Truvia?

And I noticed that many of you talk about 'lattes'. In Italy 'latte' is only the word for MILK,...
My take on Daily weighing below.

Truvia.
http://tinyurl.com/8lnfgt

American Coffee Speak: Latte
Italian Coffee Speak: Caffe Machiato

Yes--craft services--what they call the caterers for film shoots.
Depends on the shoot. In LA, craft services is generally snack/gratification food and a caterer is someone who provides whole meals. At least on union shoots. The Craft Services people don't like to be called caterers (on union jobs) and the catering people do not like the be confused with Craft Services.

(If anyone else has questions about what this or that film credit does... like the gaffer, the best boy, or the foley artist... I'm a wealth of info on that... Gaffer is the head electrician, the Best Boy is the second in command of electric (or Grips if he's the BB Grip) and usually the manager who climbs the ropes and the rigging to do wiring and a foley artist is a sound effects person who does body stuff... like footsteps... it's more performance than sound design).

Lisa, I have found I have to weigh every day on maintenance just to make sure I don't get to far out on a limb.

But when I was in the losing process, I only weighed once a month as I am one of those people who drives themselves crazy if I weigh every day. ...

I guess it just varies with how some of us handle things.

You can be an accountant or a scientist or a vivant. The core types of exercisers and I think it goes with dieting as well. I don't know that any strategy works best, but I am definitly more of an accountant/scientist. I do very poorly when I do not track things and the tracking of things reinforces my commitment.

I have found the Google 15 to be very comforting with daily weighing. It averages out your weights so you get a trend. Here I am today weighing 225 for the second day in a row. This is below my trendline (today at 227) and my trendline is lower than it was last week and two weeks ago. If I pop to 225.5 tomorrow, I will still be below my trendline. And even if I popped up to 228 tomorrow, the overall trend is still down for the past 15 days. And really, that's the thing. the trend.

But, that's me (and others). Others will have different takes and different investment in measurement.

[maxlharris]

Oops, forgot report:
Protein: ~130
Carbs: ~15

Made a DF pasta last night. Couple things.
1- Have been making 3.5 oz of pasta instead of 4. Not any less sated, so this is good.
2- Took two Cajun andouille sausages, about 2 cloves of minced garlic and about 3 TBS of olive oil and some black pepper and called it a saucing. Then, about an oz of grated parm. reg over the top and it was wonderful. Will be going back to this more often than the cream based sauces I have been making. Maybe with shrimp. Maybe with chicken. Maybe with more sausage. Very bright and fresh flavored.

That's my day. On to today.