Can we talk about that ugly four letter word?

[Proud_Lefty]

Diet.

Fighting my weight over the past 15 years, I've had numerous conversations with people, read many articles and heard many other hints on the television. I've tried almost all of it. Whenever I'm in the middle of a diet regime, I never lose anything and don't gain either. When I finally give up on it, I immediately gain weight. Now, I just make my diet my lifestyle. I've eliminated fried foods, sweets, and minimized my carbs. I blend fresh fruit with lowfat yogart into a shake for my breakfast, and eat salads that I personally cut with balsamic dressings for most of my other meals. I don't drink sodas. I have a few cups of coffee during the week at the work and then only water the rest of the time. I do have a few cocktails, though, on the weekend. I work out 2-3 times a week, take hormone replacement pills, thyroid pills, and a variety of vitamin supplements. I also take flax seed plus (all natural) that cleanses me.

I feel so much better from my changed lifestyle. My mind is clearer and I'm able to function so much better at work, but I still haven't lost any weight. None, zip.

I've asked my guides what's wrong and they say I have too many blockages from too many negative energies clinging to me (from other people). So I've been trying to distance myself from those negative people. I'm also getting a massage more frequently to allow the inner energies to circulate and flow on out.

I think I should try to incorporate yoga into my exercise, but I haven't been able to maneuver that yet.

Needless to say, I fight depression about this often.

[get the red out]

1. Sounds like really positive changes!

You've done a lot so far! Congratulate yourself, so many people in our society never get serious about improving their health. If you are to do yoga you will get around to that. Good job on what you have done.

We focus so much on weight that it is easy to loose site of how we feel! I went through a lot of years where I either ate terribly and gained weight and felt awful or starved myself and exercised compulsively and was scrawny and obsessed with the fear of food. For some years now I have been somewhere in what seems to be a healthy middle for me. It is good, I like the way I feel, and if I don't I try to look at what needs changing (which I have done a lot of this summer).

You are making great progress! Good job! Progress is all any of us can make.

[Proud_Lefty]

2. Thanks, gtro

Once I would finally get another positive habit comfortably incorporated into my lifestyle, I was always sure that results would soon follow. But the results, weight wise, never came. The energy level has improved tremendously and for that, I am so thankful. It's just still hard to carry more than I ever did when I was younger. Of course, then I smoked a lot, and my metabolism ran extremely high trying to cope with that poison. Now, it's super slow, even with the exercise.

Glad you found a comfortable middle ground. That's the battle right there.

[I Have A Dream]

3. I know how hard you have worked, PL.

I wish that I could tell you exactly what to do to make it have the results that you desire. On the positive side, due to your efforts to lose weight, you are much healthier than you'd be otherwise. I know that that doesn't make it a whole lot better (since I've been there myself many times), but at least there's something positive resulting from your efforts.

I'm posting just to lend you moral support and to state that I know how hard you have worked.

:loveya:

[Proud_Lefty]

4. You're such a sweetie, Dream

I just love you. :hug:

[WhiteTara]

5. you do know that muscle weighs more than fat

and so when people begin to lose weight and to move around, they replace the fat with muscle and it takes time to move beyond that. Don't look so much at the scales but to how you feel and look. I'll bet you look better in your clothes.

I've been reading Mark Hyman and his theory/book "Ultrametabolism". This sounds really good to me and I have been incorporating many of the recipes (there is a recipe book in his series) in which he says it's all in the metabolism or lack there of.

Just remember, you are a child of the universe and are perfect as you are.

[Proud_Lefty]

6. Thanks, WhiteTara

I do agree that metabolism is the key. I read Jillian Michael's book on Metabolism and adopted a lot of her pointers. I definitely will get Mark Hyman's book to get more ideas. I do remember that the universe loves me as I am. It's just very uncomfortable when I bend over and feel some kind of circulation being cut off. There's definitely something there that needs my attention - my body seems to be crying out.

Thanks again. I can wait to read Mr. Hyman's book. :hi:

[WhiteTara]

7. well, one thing about that middle circulation cutoff

keep bending over...many times a day. That in itself will help it all go away.
:hug:

Oh, thanks for Jillian Michael tip. I'll check her out as well! :hi:

[Cleita]

8. Thanks for the uplifting testimony.

I too am dieting because I found out my BP is too high and I'd rather lower it with diet and exercise and throw away the pills. I've had to eliminate any cocktails because it seems to send my BP through the roof. But like you said it's hard. I'm having an argument with myself to do some pilates but I distracted myself by sitting at the computer instead. I will go do my exercise, NOW!

Thank you for putting this post up, which was the first I read and which serendipitously turned me back to doing exercise!

[Proud_Lefty]

9. We are all creatures of habit, Cleita

And unless we find the exercise and diet that we love to embrace, which is almost non-existent, it's difficult to change. But after time, it can be done. I do believe that I might have more luck without any cocktails at all. I'm slowing phasing that out of my lifestyle, another thing to accomplish. Pilates are supposed to be wonderful.

Good luck on keeping it going.

[BanzaiBonnie]

10. Not long ago, I had "the talk" with my DH

When I was done talking about how it seems we need to make more changes in what we eat, I could tell by the expression on his face -it was a frowny face - that he was not pleased. I noted, "You're not happy with what I've said." He confirmed and then he said, "But I can't argue with logic." Yes, Mr. Spock. I love my logical husband.

Four years ago, we cut out soda. Then three years ago, we cut out almost all HFCS. (It's in almost all the ice creams he likes. My favorite, Breyers Vanilla, doesn't. But I don't eat ice cream every night.) After he heard the King Corn guys talk about HFCS he began to read food labels.

Now we're eating more and more vegetables and less and less packed carbs. For din-din the other night we had some lovely flat iron steak, butternut squash and a huge salad.

He's losing weight, I'm not so much... yet. But we're definitely eating better. His stomach is shrinking fast and he's going to need new jeans soon.

He actually ate some potato salad made with sweet potatoes the other day. That's a big deal for him because he doesn't like sweet potatoes. There are a lot of vegetables he's never liked very much. And so he just didn't eat them. I explained to him that some vegetables are acquired tastes.

He's trying and the results are showing. He won't give up his nightly ice cream and I won't ask him to.

And I promised him I'd never try to make him like cilantro.

[I Have A Dream]

12. "And I promised him I'd never try to make him like cilantro."

That's not so much to ask! :D

[Proud_Lefty]

14. One of the gals in my office hates cilantro

She'd totally identify with that compromise. LOL

[arikara]

11. It sounds like you are doing everything right

Maybe it has something to do with your medications though. I heard a great program about the thyroid on coast to coast radio, and there is lots of info online. Allopathic doctors aren't necessarily the best ones to treat thyroid issues as among other things they have a problem with diagnosis, and synthroid isn't necessarily the best medication because for one thing it only contains one of the T's when there are actually 4 and this creates another set of problems. And as you know, if the thyroid isn't functioning as it should, there can be weight issues no matter how healthy your diet is.

Also you mention a hormone pill, is this by chance premarin? There are cheap bio-identical alternatives, for example I use a plant based topical gel, taking it this way has the advantage of bypassing the liver, bio-identical doesn't have the side effects and there is less chance of problems down the road. If you have any questions, feel free to pm me.

[Proud_Lefty]

13. Hello arikara

I have a friend who has explored thyroid medication for "foggy head" and keeps encouraging me to check out "reverse thyroid medication". I do not take synthroid, but I'll have to look at which one I use. My friend has been spending a fortune on testing this reverse thyroid and hasn't bragged about any positive results. My nurse practitioner is also my channel and she has been very accurate with my health thus far.

She is also the one that prescribes the hormone replacement and we're doing the bio-identical compound. I'm with Kaiser and they don't offer bio-identical, just the crap that causes cancer. In fact, last time I went to see the gyn there, they were still pushing that stuff on me. I had tried it for a few months and it caused a lot of problems in an extremely short period of time. I'm much happier with the bio-identical, but I am currently retesting to see if it needs an adjustment.

[Kind of Blue]

15. Interesting about what your guides say.

Once upon a time, I worked in a hospital lab with several immigrant doctors who couldn't practice yet until they passed some U.S. boards. One of them was from India and we talked about the mind a lot. Once he used the example of weight and inability to shed the pounds as all beginning in the head. He believed it was getting in the right frame of mind for the average person by imagining/seeing ones' self thinner.

I'd always used this technique that was an instant motivator to increase metabolism. Unfortunately with this awful back injury, I can't even walk a block without it kicking in hard - I was a high-power walker :cry:

I've seen some results with belly-dancing movements for spots that really need attention - the abs and arms. This summer, I started swimming and amazingly no back pain with that! Can't do much swimming now but I'm planning on buying a bike and learning how to ride this winter.

I'm trying to find more of this woman's yoga exercises because they are simple poses and you can feel the burn. This one is for abs http://video.about.com/exercise/hip-lift.htm.
So I wonder if you like the exercises that you're doing. Working out sounds so stressful to me :rofl: :hug:

[Cleita]

17. I sometimes join the water aerobics class at the gym.

Most of the ladies have some kind of bone and back injuries that make it impossible for them to do ordinary exercises but they can do them in the water. You might want to try it. If you don't belong to a gym, I believe there are other places that offer this type of class for a very small cost, like the YMCA or some senior centers.

[Kind of Blue]

19. That's a great idea, Cleita. Thanks!

I've seen 2 gyms in my one-horse town :D I'm going to check them out this week.

[JanusAscending]

23. Thanks for mentioning this!

I have a prescription from my back Dr.'s for rehab at a local gym called Curves with a limited amount of exercises to strengthen my muscles in my back and legs due to atrophy from not using them. I lost a LOT of muscle mass when I lost all the weight. Water therapy is part of the accepted methods I can use, as well as massage. My daughter is taking me there on Thurs. to check out the equipment and whether they have a pool or just a water tank....and to set up my schedule (twice a week) and find out what I need in the proper clothing. I can finally fit in my bathing suit again, and I have tee shirts and shorts, but will probably need sweat suits for the winter months. Believe it or not...medicaid will pay for this for a month(at least). By then I'll be ready for my next round of epidural shots, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

[Proud_Lefty]

24. I know you've really struggled, JA

Hope this works for you. The water is so good for so many things and it sounds like exactly what you need. Keep us up to date on the progress.

[Metta]

16. Are you getting enough sleep?

I've seen and heard from several sources that inadequate sleep contributes to weight gain, not to mention increased risk of heart disease and stroke.

[I Have A Dream]

18. No kidding?

:wow:

;)

(Just so this isn't an inside joke, Metta's been worried that I haven't been getting enough sleep. I hear about this all the time. I know that I need to sleep more; I'm just gently teasing him.)

[Kind of Blue]

20. I hate to do this IHAD but...

as much as I :loveya: I have to :spank: :rofl:

[Metta]

22. Thank you.

nodding and with some relief.

[I Have A Dream]

32. ...

:hug::hug::hug:

:loveya:

[Kind of Blue]

37. :)

I know it's hard to worry deeply for a loved one. You're a good egg :hug:

[I Have A Dream]

31. Yeah, I deserve it!

:D

:loveya:

[Kind of Blue]

38. Aww, you deserve to sleep.

I'm very sorry you're going through this and wish that I could do more than just pray for relief to come soon :hug: Well, I'm lighting 3 candles to go along with the desire :loveya: Hopefully, we'll be hearing good news really soon.

[Proud_Lefty]

21. I've been worried about you, too, Dream

You need more sleep. Only recently has my sleep worsened. Don't know why. Hoping that the adjustment in hormone will solve it. But, Dream, you've been without sleep for way too long.

Wishing you many :boring:

[I Have A Dream]

33. I hope that your sleep issue resolves soon, PL.

I've had times when I wake up every hour or couldn't fall asleep for hours. They've been rare, but it was terrible. :(

:loveya:

[JanusAscending]

26. You will be in my bedtimes prayers and meditation tonight!!

Sleep...sleep...sleep, perchance to dream, and may they be as sweet as you are! Love ya....O8) :hug: Angel that you are!

[I Have A Dream]

34. What a wonderfully sweet thing post, JA.

Thank you!

:loveya:

[Manifestor_of_Light]

25. Great!!

I see you mentioned thyroid. I became hypothyroid when I was ten years old and I've taken Armour ever since, in spite of doctors who have tried to make me switch to Synthroid.

I have been reading about Reverse T3 and experimenting with my dosages of T3 and T4; however, like you said, I haven't found any improvement.

All my life Mom and Grandma nagged me to eat, said you eat like a bird, and then as I got older through the decades, I gradually added on the weight. When I was a teenager I was a perfect size 11 junior petite.

The only diet I've been on where I lost weight was South Beach. The first two weeks of South Beach is all protein and all fats. Absolutely NO starch, NO sugar, NO carbs. I couldn't stay on it because I was still hungry. Even though the book insists you'll be full on protein and fats alone.

Losing weight with a slow or dead thyroid is tough. I don't know what the answer is. There are a lot of doctors who will insist you must be cheating, even when you stick to a diet and exercise. I have adrenal fatigue too, and my doctor and NP have completely ignored my complaints about exercise fatigue.

As far as health guides, I have not gotten enough information from anyone to figure out what I need to do to have energy and lose weight. Nor have I gotten any messages in my head along those lines.

Just in case you don't know about these, they are informative websites:

www.stopthethyroidmadness.com (also talks about adrenals and how that ties in with thyroid -- they work together).

http://thyroid.about.com by Mary Shomon, thyroid advocate.


I used to go to an anti-aging doc who gave me a testosterone pellet implant. It helped me greatly with energy. I have also done the bio-identical testosterone cream, but I don't think the dosage was enough to help me. It does help the sex drive, but the main benefit I found was determination -- willpower to actually DO THINGS. Motivation.

I have read an article by a doctor who says that women MUST have testosterone supplements in some form to burn fat and build musicle. It also builds bone. Steroids have been demonized because of the professional athlete scandals. Those guys take far more quantities than any sane person would ever need, who is not a pro athlete.

I'm a bit post-menopause and don't take any female hormones.

Good luck!!

[Proud_Lefty]

29. Can't wait to be post-menopause

Thanks for the the thyroid material. I'm looking forward to reading it. :hi:

[Why Syzygy]

27. What about protein?

You don't mention it. Without protein intake, your body will use muscle to function.
You can probably find these books at your library (I did) >
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_19?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=swarzbein+principle&sprefix=swarzbein+principle

You are way ahead of the game since you've already cut out what Dr. Swarzbein calls "stimulants". She also goes into great detail about hormone balance.

As for the negative energies, I think of flower remedies. I don't know enough about them to suggest one. Maybe BlueIris could give input.

[Proud_Lefty]

28. I usually have plenty of protein in my diet

My husband barbecues chicken for me and I chop it into cubes. I also put garbanzo beans in the salad. I usually have a piece of chicken with vegetables for dinner.

I would love to know more about the flower remedies. It's so hard to control how we react to situations, isn't it? I've tried to overcome, but sometimes, I just react and my whole system feels it in the most negative way.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

30. I forgot to mention growth hormone & peptides

Human Growth Hormone builds muscle.

You can buy peptides which are precursors to GH. They are legal without a prescription. You reconstitute them with sterile water and inject, usually 0.1 cc, with a very small needle (insulin or allergy syringe). They stimulate your own pituitary to release GH. GH is released in pulses and some people inject 3 times a day. I don't. There are other peptides that may be combined to help sleep or to make a pulse last longer.

Peptides are also much cheaper than GH from a physician.

Just some more info for you to look at.

[Why Syzygy]

35. Since

BlueIris might not see this, I can suggest you look into them for yourself. I was once able to find a practitioner who used the remedies.
That is going to vary by location.

http://www.fesflowers.com/#

http://www.bachflower.com/

Brava on the protein, btw. It sounds like you have a healthy lifestyle. Have you taken up walking?

[BlueIris]

36. It's great your OP mentions cutting out negative influences,

since that was the first thing that came to my mind--"stress hormones," probably from jerky, negative folks in the OP's vicinity.

Other than that, I've got nothing.

[Proud_Lefty]

39. Thanks, BI

Sure appreciate your input.

[BlueIris]

40. I did a mini-meditation on your situation tonight.

What I got after meditating is that thyroid issues, (not surprisingly) are the primary reason you're not losing the weight. Thyroid issues are difficult to treat. If you're already on meds for that, I'd say that's all you can do.

[Proud_Lefty]

43. Thank you, BI

I really appreciate that. Maybe I should check out this reverse thyroid and see if that helps.

[seabeyond]

41. fight... diet....

action, reaction. battle.

bring it to peace. love and acceptance of the fat you. cuddle and caress. know why that fat person is there protecting you. dont try to dismiss or throw away that you. it is a caring aprt of you. embrace and love that you. allow that you to be a part, thank it and tell it that you no longer need it to protect you. come along for the ride in the healthier you.

moderation.

stillness.

surrender....

[I Have A Dream]

42. I love that, seabeyond.

It's sort of like the ego. Don't make it think that you're trying to destroy it when you're trying to allow your higher self to take control. Doing so only makes it fight to stay alive. If we tell it that it's a valued part of ourselves (just not in control), it's more likely to work with us. I can see the same thing working with losing weight, just as you stated.

:thumbsup:

[seabeyond]

44. exactly. ego is our silly child that is all about taking care of us. why would we want to let it

go. not that you can.... but why try. i embrace, love and giggle with my ego. i also dont live life with my ego. not the purest, stillest of ways to go. plus, life gets so complicated with ego. let ego along for the ride, but live thru the heart... and EVERYTHING is easy....

[I Have A Dream]

45. Absolutely!

:hug:

[Proud_Lefty]

46. Wow. That makes me stop

One of the things I've been thinking about lately is that my mother was always a stately woman when I was growing up. She was always a size 14-16 until towards the end of her life when she dropped to a size 10. We were extremely close. In fact, she was my twin soul and she speaks to me today through me which is very weird. I'll sigh and hear her. I'll laugh and hear her. And the list goes on. I was wondering the other day if the real me is suppose to be more stately like she was. Because I'm fighting, fighting, fighting and whenever I stop fighting, the size goes up. Life isn't suppose to be about struggle or fighting, right? It's more about loving all, including self, comfort and peace. I loved my mother with all heart and her size never deterred me from that love. My family and friends loves me the same way.

However, my mother had a lot of health issues because she never exercised. Since exercising and watching my diet, I'm so much more clear headed. I guess I need to keep doing what I'm doing, but accept where I'm at without all the self judgment. Thank you, thank you. You are very wise.

[seabeyond]

48. meditation

excellent stuff. can be done your way. takes you so beyond in so many ways. a uniting of the physical you, mental you and spiritual you. allowing whole.

sigh... i use to spend so much time in this and walked away a while ago, to be a part of this world again. was so peaceful in my other world, lol. but all the mess of our 3d world was a callin with bushco. i am thinking it is time i spend some time in that world again. so healing.

what i found when i worked in meditation, i started using the physical body in movement. muscle work. i later found i was doing paletis? without any knowledge. allowing my body decide what it wanted to do for health.

[OneGrassRoot]

47. Love this:

"...let ego along for the ride, but live thru the heart."

:thumbsup:

[seabeyond]

49. .

:hug:

it feels good.

[Brewman_Jax]

50. Those are good changes

but a culprit in your lack of progress may be the prescription drugs. They're an often over-looked problem. You and your physician may have to review them and your options.

It's depressing to make all of the positive changes and not see progress. Like said above, your waistband is a better indicator of progress than your scale. Keep it up! :hi: