Back In The Saddle Again!

No, I'm not riding a horse or a bull or any other critter! However, I am back on my diet program with Metabolic Direct.

I have always been different! Most people gain weight in the winter when they are shut indoors and indulging in comfort foods.  Me, well, I gain in the Summer.  It probably has more to do with the fact that I seem to travel a lot and eat out a lot in the Summer, than it does with the season itself.

Every Summer about this time, I get on the scales one morning and go - YIKES! How did that happen? Where did it come from?  Well, probably from the delicious Zeppe's Italian Ice and Vanilla Custard...oh yum.  Then there are the Smore's cooked over the open fire, and the hot dogs, and the travel to Paris where ALL the food is irresistible and delicious!  Oh my.  Back to my normal routine or I will have a whole closet full of clothes I can not wear anymore! Nope, can't afford that for sure! And, to add to the drive, I'm going on a Cruise in December! You can't hide fat in cruise clothes!  Aaaauuuggh...

I wish it were as easy to be thin now as it was when I was 17!  Of course, back then I walked everywhere, played basketball and softball and probably didn't have access to junk food.  I was too busy to eat!  The first time I really gained weight was when I was in Nursing School.  There was never time to eat properly and so McDonalds Quarter Pounder with cheese and fries became a staple in my world..to the tune of probably 40 pounds or more...I really didn't take a lot of notice about it until the graduation pictures! Oh my, is that me?  A size 20?  How on Earth???

I have dieted and changed the way I eat several times and lost weight, but it was about three years ago when I looked at a picture of myself with my husband at Universal Studios. Who are those people?  That did it.  I got busy and took off 50 pounds on my own, but then I was STUCK!

So I began to hunt for some program or method that would work for me.  I had been to WW in the past and wasn't really impressed...oh I lost some weight, but it came right back...counting points and still eating hamburgers isn't the way to go for me.  I had tried Fit For Life, geesh that is a lot of fruit!

Anyway after having tried so many programs and still being overweight, I came across the Metabolic Research people in Macon, Georgia.  I reviewed the program and it seemed like a sensible way to lose weight.  Between October 3rd and December 20 I lost 50 pounds! Success.  They hired me to work for them!  My clients would walk in and not believe my "before" picture.  I actually had one man say "I want to talk to that tall skinny blond."  I hadn't been a tall skinny blond since High School.
Losing weight is not just about vanity.  It is more about "health."  I don't want to be one of those who has to have knee replacements and can't do all the things I did 30 years ago.  I want to keep healthy and keep moving.  I want to motivate others to do the same.  Life is short...let's live it!

I ran my first 5K 100 pounds lighter than I was the year before on February 23, 2012 (my 66th birthday).  I actually came in third in my age group..(I was just happy I didn't DIE trying).  I have managed to do pretty well until this Summer.  A trip to London and Paris in May, Maryland in June and then to Georgia and finally two weeks in Norway (where my host was a Chef!), and a one week visit from my College age grandson (and I ate hot dogs and fun stuff like that) and I have found myself 25 pounds up!  Oh my gosh!

So this week beginning on Sunday I got back to the program that has been so good to me. It really isn't hard to follow and it works great.  I have already lost 8, yes EIGHT pounds! While I know that rate of loss will not continue, I intend to have lost 20 more pounds by October 15th! I don't do any ridiculous amount of exercise.  I do like to walk about 4 miles at least 3 times a week while the weather is good and I snowshoe in the Winter.  If you have a dog, taking him or her for a nice brisk walk will be good for both of you; and despite previous evidence to the contrary, you need to get at least 15 minutes of sunshine on your body a day to make adequate Vitamin D...so many are deficient in Vitamin D now because of Sunscreen...leave the sunscreen at home and get your 15 minutes.  Recent research is saying exactly that! No, don't get burned...get 15 minutes!

I have fought the "weight loss" battle many times, but I never intend to get back to the weight that I was before Metabolic Research.  I am actually an independent Weight Loss Consultant for them now out here in Utah.  That is good for me and good for my clients.  So, my blogging friends, I will let you know how I progress, and if you want to join me give me a message.

PEACE, LOVE and JOY

I Never Met A Carb I Didn't Like!

That is a salad sitting in front of my Hubby Kevin and I.  We are actually at a local place in Utah, Slackwater, which serves the best pizza!  Now, don't get me wrong, I love pizza!  Unfortunately Pizza Loves Me!

Some people can get away with eating those luscious carbs, I am one of those who can not!  I though moving to Utah would be a "healthy" lifestyle, but I have found that people out here eat a heck of a lot of CARBS!  There are bakeries galore with loads of delicious breads and pastry.  There is even a doughnut shop that specializes in the MOST DECADENT doughnuts you have ever seen...dripping in bacon, maple icing..OMG!  They display them prominently at the Farmer's Market in Downtown Ogden during the summer.  They advertise everywhere.

Then, there are the "scones."  Now, I have always known scones to be small wedges with a texture between biscuits and cake, slightly sweet, sometimes containing fruit and a dribble of icing.  Yum, but not too terribly calorically loaded.  BUT, scones in Utah, well that is another thing altogether.  The first time we ordered scones in Utah this enormous thing the size of a plate, deep fried, sweet and with a huge blob of honey butter came out!
I thought it might just be that particular restaurant's interpretation of scone.  However, it didn't take long to realize that they call "fried dough" a scone out here! Holy Mackeral!

I really never met a carb I didn't like.  I love potatoes no matter how you fix them.  I love really good bread and pie and cake and and and...well, you get it, don't you?  There is some kind of magical draw which pulls us into the "carb trap."   There are some good carbs, for sure like whole grains, fresh fruits and legumes and fresh vegetables.  The things to AVOID are refined and processed foods, foods that include "oses" those are simple sugars....dangerous.  

Although statistics say that only 24% of Uthans are "obese," I have my doubts!  I see more than 24% of chubbies shopping and in those restaurants!  In defense of some of those who eat those carbs, they do a lot of hiking, biking and skiing out here!  Sooooo, I guess some of them can get away with all those extra carbs.

I have managed to take off 100 pounds in the past couple years.  I want to keep it off!  I fell off the wagon right after we moved into our new apartment and I wasn't walking the way I had been, nor was I eating the low carb foods which I had made my staple for the past couple years.  I managed to gain TWENTY pounds in the blink of an eye!  I am now back on the low carb wagon.

Oh, not all carbs are BAD, but you do really have to watch the balance.  I have found it critical that I eat more protein and raw low carb vegetables to maintain my weight loss.  You don't have to exercise, but it really doesn't hurt. 

These yummy snow crab claws are on my "good" list.  Kind of like the naughty and nice list, I have a good and bad list.

I find the best way to lose weight and keep it off is to eat a lot of white fish, white meat chicken or turkey and very little beef or pork.  NO FRIED FISH!  No fried anything by the way.







We are having some lovely prawns for New Year's Eve.  These are also acceptable as a good alternative to red meat.

Stay away from the drawn butter.  Walden Farms makes some great salad dressings and sauces, including a Marinara, which have NO calories.  They are amazing. 

Potatoes, although I love them, are off my good list right now.  A serving of potato, baked or boiled when you are dieting is only 2 ounces....I would rather have something else that will allow me a larger serving.  Mashed Cauliflower well seasoned is a great substitute for mashed potatoes (my grandkids love it) and will allow you a 4 ounce serving.  Raw veggies are great, and you can make great dips from FAT FREE yogurt!

I don't want to forget to say that drinking water, 64 ounces a day, I know it sounds like a lot, but it works is crucial to good health.  As a side note, recent studies show that if you eat a BALANCED diet you do not need multi-vitamins. 

I hate the word "diet" because what really needs to happen is a "lifestyle change" which involves portion control and discipline.  I'm not saying that you need to NEVER have any carbs at all.  You can even have the "occasional" doughnut or piece of cake if you don't make a habit of it, once you get to your goal weight. 

I will tell you this, if you are interested in a great program that really works and won't drive you nutty, contact Metabolic Research.  These people have done their homework and really know how to help you.  They not only provide you with dietary guidelines, but with counseling and support which is crucial to long term weight loss. 

I went from wearing very tight size 20's to size 6-8 slacks!  I haven't worn that size since High School.  If you want some "lifestyle change" advice, please feel free to contact me, I would love to help you achieve your goals.

Here is an example of a low carb recipe for you to enjoy!

Breakfast: Breakfast Sandwich

Ingredients
4 egg whites/substitutes
1/2 whole-grain or Ezekiel English muffin
3 slices tomato
1 dash Mrs. Dash
3 tbsp salsa

Directions
Cook and stir egg whites in a skillet over medium heat until scrambled and done to your liking. Sprinkle with Mrs. Dash.

Place scrambled egg whites on toasted English muffin.

Add tomato and enjoy!

You can also make a "crustless" quiche with egg whites, bacon bits, cheese and if you like spinach which is very low cal and low carb.  Get busy, do some research, and find HEALTHY LOW CARB and low FAT recipes you can enjoy!

PEACE - LOVE and JOY

Linda

They Are Finally Talking About IT Everywhere!

Well, it took a while, but you/we are finally seeing LOTS of information on the TDAP injection!

This is the injection older teens and adults should receive as a booster for the original Whooping Cough (Pertussis) vaccine many received as children. 

I was born before the DPT shot was around, and therefore missed out on the vaccinations against whooping cough. I found out just how serious this can be after contracting a case of it about a year ago.  The cough was downright debilitating and there were days when I lay on the couch thinking it owuld be easier just to give up and die!  I'm not kidding, this is rough stuff. 

So in spite of that fact that I have discussed this before, I am saying it yet again.  Go get your TDAP!  It will not only protect you, but if infants (those who are not old enough to have gotten their complete set of DPT shots) contract this disease it can be DEADLY!  It can also be deadly in older adults.

I don't know why it has taken so long for this information to share with the general public, but I am really glad to see it is finally out there.  It was a topic for discussion on the news here at noon in Ogden. 

I am afraid that some of the hype that has been circulated about the possible link between Autism and injections/vaccinations may cause us some very serious outbreaks of disease in the future.  There has been NO proven link between vaccinations and Autism. 

I am inclined to believe that Autism is more likely a result of an auto-immune response secondary to the increased use of pesticides, hormones and perservatives in the foods we consume.  I really advocate that whenever you can you should choose organics or "naturally grown" (a new designation for foods not grown using pesticides) fruits and vegetables as much as possible.  Stay away from Processed Foods and eat from the EDGE of the grocery store.  Eat raw when you can (washing the vegetables and fruits or peeling them if they are not organically grown).  Stay away from FAST FOODS people!  Feeding your kids from places which lead them to believe the only vegetable is french fries will not lead to healthy children or adults.

Protest the over-use of antibiotics and hormones!  And please, please protest against GMO's!  The food which God (or Mother Nature if you lean that way) provided for us doesn't need altering, and we have no idea what the long term effects of genetically altered food or animals may cause.

When you can eat WILD CAUGHT fish, preferably deep water fish (and not from the waters off China and Japan for obvious reasons).  Farm raised fish can have all kinds of disease problems and is fed hormones and other things to alter it.  Once again KEEP IT REAL and natural.  China is one of the most polluted countries in the world, and a lot of the fish from there contains very high levels of toxic metals/minerals. 

When you can support your local Farmer's Market. 

PEACE - LOVE & JOY

Linda

Living the High Life!

I have never lived anywhere located more than 200 ft above sea level until now.

I had thought it might be a difficult adjustment, thinner air and all that, but so far so good!  I was reminded by a local last night that baking will be a new experience.  She told me she has to "tweak" her cookie recipes every year at Christmas...this high altitude cooking wreaks havoc on ordinary recipes!

So far, other than the fact that the lack of humidity has me slightly dehydrated and dried out, everything is marvelous! 

Ogden is a town which is like a throwback to the 50's and 60's in some ways, but so progressive and modern in others.  Transportation in Utah is way ahead of the curve!  Ogden is extremely family friendly and health conscious.  All the trails and areas for recreation are beautiful and very accessible.  As it turns out we are only 30 minutes from some of the best ski locations in the West.  This area sure has a lot to offer.

Last evening we did more exploring.  Since we are going to be permanent residents here in Ogden, we began home hunting.  It turned out to be an easy experience!  We found a gorgeous, new Townhome development within walking distance of the downtown area which I love so much!  They are so lovely and modern (even blue tooth equipped throughout with sound, etc.)  and have spectacular views of the mountains!  I would never have dreamed that I would end up in the West living in the mountains, but this is an amazing and peaceful place.  We are excited about our future here.  Our new Townhome won't be completed for a year, so we will have to locate a temporary rental until it is completed. 

One problem I have run into here in Ogden, is that Pet Friendly apartments are few and far between!  Now, don't get me wrong there are some, but most say "service animals only."  I am ready to have my little Buddy declared an "ESA" - that is, an Emotional Support Animal at this point because as such he would be welcome anywhere!  Crazy!  I do need him for emotional support, but how crazy is it?  Still looking right now, but like I said, I am about to become desperate.

Yesterday I had a crazy experience.  I was taking Buddy for our normal morning walk, and decided I would Jog instead.  MISTAKE!  Note to self - don't jog with Buddy!  I was running along and all of a sudden Buddy decided to make a sharp turn in front of me.  Buddy is a "small" dog, but he is heavy and sturdy as the dickens.  I caught the toe of my sneakers on his body and "BOOM" down I went.  Felt like a two-year-old as I hit the sidewalk flat and hard.  As I hit, the leash came loose from my hand and I panicked because of our close proximity to the highway...but, as I hit the concrete, I also Yelled STOP!  Buddy doesn't always listen, but this time he did, and I was able to grab the lease and pull him to me.  All of this happened so quickly, that I didn't have time to realize whether I was actually hurt or not before I was standing again!  Both knees and hands were throbbing, but I dusted myself off and continued my walk.  I didn't hear anything creaking or snapping, so decided at least nothing appeared to be broken.  I took some Advil, put some ice on my knees and tried to ignore the incident the rest of the day.

I am happy to report that I am not nearly as beat up and sore this morning as I thought I might be.  I must be a tough old lady after all!  My left shoulder does seem to be a bit sore (probably from bracing for the fall) and my knees are slightly bruised, but I can hardly believe the lack of evidence of injury considering how hard I hit that concrete sidewalk!
Again, no more jogging with Buddy....walking only!

The weather here has been in the 100's during the day, so I have been avoiding being out during the hottest part of the day. It is amazing though that the lack of humidity makes it seem much cooler than it actually is.  Everyone here is very helpful about warning you of the dangers of heat stroke here.  Because of the lack of humidity it is extremely easy to get overheated and dehydrated without really knowing it.  I have been drinking copious amounts of water to make up for the loss.

So, as I accommodate to living the "high life" here in Utah, I will post about our adventures and experiences.  Right now, I am still pinching myself to make sure it is real! 

LOVE - PEACE and JOY

Linda - the Okaloosa Girl from Ogden, Utah!

A Funny Thing Happened On My Way To A 5K!

I got a message on my iPhone first thing this morning from daughter Melanie.  She has challenged me to run a 5K with she and Ashlyn at Walt Disney World/Epcot on my BIRTHDAY! www.rundisney.com/princess-half-marathon/#royal-family-5k   (Disney Royal Family 5K)

After thinking about it for a few minutes, pondering my recent 20 plus pound weight loss (and I want to lose 20 more!) and the fact that I have been feeling positively wonderful lately, I accepted the challenge!

Now, there is an AP on my iPhone as of this morning called "Ease into 5K.""  I loaded it thinking I would probably start it next week, but since I had to take the dog for a walk this morning anyway, I put in the necessary information and began.

First mistake - took the dog!  My dog, Buddy, is a smallish Boston Terrier and unlike most Bostons he is NOT high energy!  My walks with him sometimes involve me half dragging him to say the least!  Then to add to the problem this weird rather pretty gray and white cat (who apparently has no fear of dogs at all) decided to plant himself right in the middle of the running track....not once, but FOUR times!!!  Oh My Gosh!  Every time we would come around that side of the track he would stand right in the middle and challenge us to run by him.  Buddy would start pulling and straining at the leash and I would finally have to lift his feet off the ground with the least to keep running!!!

Second Mistake - I decided to do this right after lunch...good grief, I know better than this.  However, I did fairly well considering.

I actually did complete the entire program with only a few times of having to "fast walk" when it said "run."  Not too shabby for a granny who hasn't done any running in a long, long time!

This little AP keeps track of your miles, time, etc.  My time was an average pitiful 19 minute mile LOL!  I hope I see some improvement in that or I will definitely be the last one crossing the finish line at the 5K! 

But, all in all, you want to know something?  I really don't care about where I finish.  I just want to finish that 5K with my daughter and granddaughter (all three generations of us) and be able to smile and say I did it!  In high school I was a really good basketball player, I loved to water ski and was always active in every way.  It is good to feel like I can still run at this age.  Who knows, maybe I will actually be the first in my age group at age 80 crossing the Finish Line at a 5K!

Wanna join me?  Download the AP and start now!

GOD BLESS - Peace, Love and Joy

More on Medications and Supplements!

I have decided to re-post this article because I have been saying FOREVER that the best way to stay healthy is to eat a BALANCED diet which includes meats, fruits and fresh vegetables. Too many people think that taking a PILL is an answer to everything. We have become lazy in the way we manage our health and well being.

If you haven't seen this story, please read it...it could save your life!

DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS MAY HARM OLDER WOMEN: Study

Iron, vitamin B6 and others might increase the risk of death, researchers say
By Steven ReinbergHealthDay Reporter

Iron, vitamin B6 and others might increase the risk of death, researchers say.

MONDAY, Oct. 10 (HealthDay News) -- Far from being healthy, supplements such as multivitamins, minerals and folic acid may actually raise the odds for death in older women who take them, a new study suggests.

Dietary supplements are widely used in the United States, often with the hope of avoiding chronic disease. However, the long-term health consequences of many compounds are unknown, the researchers said.

"Our study raises concerns about the safety of a number of commonly used dietary supplements," said lead researcher Jaakko Mursu, a nutritional epidemiologist at the University of Eastern Finland, in Kuopio. "We would advise people to reconsider whether they need to use supplements and put more emphasis on a healthy diet," he said.

The report was published in the Oct. 10 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.

For the study, Mursu's team collected data on nearly 39,000 women who took part in the Iowa Women's Health Study. Specifically, the researchers looked for a connection between taking dietary supplements and the risk of death. The women in the study had an average age of 62 and reported their supplement use in 1986, 1997 and 2004.

Over 19 years of follow-up, 15,594 of the women died. Supplement use increased from 1986, when 63 percent of the women reported taking at least one supplement, to 85 percent in 2004, the researchers found.

One supplement decreased the risk of dying, but most did not, Mursu's group found.

Multivitamins, vitamin B6, folic acid, iron, magnesium, zinc and copper were associated with increased risk of death, they said. However, calcium supplements seemed to reduce risk of death, they added.

The strongest association between a supplement and an increased risk of death was for iron, Mursu's team noted. The more iron one took, the greater the risk, and as one aged, it took less iron to increase the risk of dying, the researchers said.

"This, of course, is just one study, and other similar studies have not found such a dramatic increase in mortality," said Mursu, who is also affiliated with the University of Minnesota. "Nevertheless, these studies have provided very little evidence that commonly used dietary supplements would help to prevent chronic diseases."

It should be noted that the study found an association between supplement use and health risks, but did not prove a cause-and-effect.

Speaking for the supplement industry, Duffy MacKay, vice president for scientific and regulatory affairs at the Council for Responsible Nutrition, said that people who use supplements tend to live healthier lives.

These researchers "really do overstate the potential for harm, and understate any benefit," he said. "The researchers started out with the intention of identifying harm. I caution against making overstated assumptions and conclusions from this data."

MacKay noted that "anything, including water, can be harmful if you overdo it."

In the real world, you cannot get all the needed nutrients from diet alone, he said. So supplements are needed when you fall short. People need to analyze their diet and figure out what supplements they need, MacKay said.

Dr. Goran Bjelakovic, from the University of Nis in Serbia and co-author of an accompanying journal editorial, said that "dietary supplementation has shifted from preventing deficiency to trying to promote wellness and prevent diseases."

Consumers assume that vitamin and mineral supplements are safe, he said. "We think the paradigm 'the more the better' is wrong. We believe that for all micronutrients, there are risks associated with both insufficient intake and too large intake," Bjelakovic said.

Low levels increase the risk of deficiency; high levels increase the risk of toxicity and disease, he said. "We cannot recommend the use of vitamin and mineral supplements as a preventive measure, at least not in a well-nourished population. Consumption of a varied healthy diet seems a prudent preventive strategy," Bjelakovic concluded.

Use of calcium should be the subject of further studies, Bjelakovic said.

Another expert, Samantha Heller, a dietitian and clinical nutrition coordinator at the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital in Derby, Conn., added that "while some vitamin and mineral supplements are beneficial in certain instances, we cannot undo the deleterious health effects of a chronically poor diet with a pill."

It is best to get healthy compounds from a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, seeds and whole grains, Heller said. "A supplement should be just that -- a supplement to a healthy diet, not in place of a healthy diet."