<p>I was at Whole Foods yesterday and noticed that they had a chocolate bar of 100% cacao. I showed it to my wife and bought it. We tried it last night - btw, this bar has zero carbs. It was awful. My wife will use it in baking.</p>
<p>The nutritional contents were really good though.</p>
<p>Now I know why you can’t find those bars in the typical supermarket.</p>
<p>BCE- Stick to Milky Way! :)</p>
<p>Well, heat and humidity wasn’t a problem this morning! 54 and dry. I was CHILLY to start out (short sleeved tech shirt). However, I decided with each drop in temperature, the magnetism of my bed increases. I planned to get up and do 4 miles- by the time I pried myself out of bed I barely had time for 3. Gorgeous morning, though. Bed is nice…</p>
<p>Got to work all dressed up in a nice transitional (summer to fall) outfit with a big chunk of cat fur on my butt!</p>
<p>You mean to say there are people who leave the house without a coating of cat fur?</p>
<p>“For me, the proof was in the pudding. Over the course of two years, I lost 90 pounds and saw a significant improvement in key markers such as resting heart rate, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, etc. Whether or not there’s a better diet for me out there, I don’t know. But, I do know that this diet is working and I can stick to it (which is probably the most important thing!)”</p>
<pre><code> Wow, interesteddad, your results are amazing! 90 pounds is a very impressive weight loss and congratulations on your lab work as well. What eating plan are you following? Also, have you seen the documentary called “Fat Head”? It shares your point of view about the problems associated with eating the USDA recommended food pyramid i.e., emphasis on carbs.
Clearly we are doing something wrong in how we approach healthy eating. We have never had more access to food, never been fatter as a society and the rates of type ll Diabetes are soaring! My questions are not about finding the best “fad” diet, but rather questioning what is the best way to eat for optimal health.
</code></pre>
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<p>What? No chocolate covered chocolate donuts?</p>
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<p>I looked for the warmest spot of the day for my run today: 3:00 PM. It’s getting light later and later in the morning so no morning runs for me unless I get warmer running clothes.</p>
<p>
I find that when you get past 80% or so, it gets too bitter for me. An ounce of 80% has only 5 or so gms of sugar, but tastes good, which is a pretty good trade-off IMO.</p>
<p>Trader Joes sells a brick of 78% which I like. I was trying to see what 100% would be like.</p>
<p>I have to confess to a donut run yesterday after my run and the dog park. Excuse was to get some donut holes for the dog. H and I each had 3 donuts, but didn’t eat again until dinner. The pumpkin donuts at Dunkin are excellent!</p>
<p>I personally think it is the Terry Wahls diet (Google it) or a modified version. Dr Wahls developed MS in 2003 and by 2007 was in a wheelchair. Ultimately, through lots of online research, she developed an eating plan for the MS. She concluded that grains and gluten are inflammatory for almost everyone. So her daily diet plan is…</p>
<p>3 cups of leafy greens…kale being the best.
3 cups of sulfur rich veggies…onion family and others.
3 cups of other colorful veggies.
Gluten free at a minimum, although she is totally grain free.
Dairy…case by case basis, some people can handle it.
Lots of all natural meat, prefer grass fed.
No sugar.</p>
<p>Basically, a Paleo diet heavy on the veggies. I eat this way 80% of the time. The other 20 % of my meals may involve some grains and sweets.</p>
<p>I have never felt better or been in better shape. 49 year old male, 5’7’’, 160 lbs, pretty significant muscle mass. I feel like I can eat this way forever. Starchy and grain based carbs make me tired, are addicting, and tend to make me gain weight.</p>
<p>Dr Wahls now bikes to work daily.</p>
<p>Well, well, well- look what stupid thing I did today!</p>
<p>I was looking around online for a local race on Oct 6 that daughter and I could maybe combine with some extra miles for our last long run (20 miles). Lo and behold- a full marathon less than 2 hours away in Winchester, TN! It’s a small race and got great reviews- very scenic, local event- good community support. I talked her into it. We will do a run/walk and go really easy since it is over-distance. She liked the idea of a supported long run, but was a little nervous about a “practice” marathon 3 weeks before her main goal race (Marine Corps). It’s 2 weeks before my Chattanooga race, but I think if we approach it correctly it could be a real confidence builder. Of course, I am envisioning a gorgeous fall day. If it’s a rainy nightmare this could be a REALLY bad decision. I mailed my check…</p>
<p>Started adding an afternoon swim to my morning walks. Yay for saltwater pools. </p>
<p>Amazed by the low calories some of you are managing. Hats off.</p>
<p>If you have any autoimmune issues, try going gluten free. My H accuses me of jumping on the gluten free bandwagon, buit I feel better and my thyroid function is much more stable.</p>
<p>There is a side benefit from being gluten free, especially if you work in an office or other place where people bring “treats.” Once you tell your co-workers that you are gluten free, it is easy to pass up the birthday cake, etc.</p>
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<p>If you can find something like these basic long pants, you’ll love 'em:</p>
<p>[Brooks</a> Spartan pant](<a href=“http://a2.zassets.com/images/z/1/1/6/6/3/8/1166380-1-4x.jpg]Brooks”>http://a2.zassets.com/images/z/1/1/6/6/3/8/1166380-1-4x.jpg)
[Brooks</a> Spartan pant 2](<a href=“http://a2.zassets.com/images/z/1/1/6/6/3/8/1166380-2-4x.jpg]Brooks”>http://a2.zassets.com/images/z/1/1/6/6/3/8/1166380-2-4x.jpg)
[Brooks</a> Spartan II Pants - Men’s - 2011 Closeout at REI-OUTLET.com](<a href=“http://www.rei.com/product/837906/brooks-spartan-ii-pants-mens-2011-closeout?preferredSku=8379060004&cm_mmc=cse_shoppingO-_-datafeed-_-product-_-na&mr:referralID=92bfcbcf-fb65-11e1-97b3-001b2166becc]Brooks”>http://www.rei.com/product/837906/brooks-spartan-ii-pants-mens-2011-closeout?preferredSku=8379060004&cm_mmc=cse_shoppingO-_-datafeed-_-product-_-na&mr:referralID=92bfcbcf-fb65-11e1-97b3-001b2166becc)</p>
<p>They are light polyester, just a bit more substantial than a tech t-shirt, but way less than sweat pants. Elastic waist with drawstring. Little zippers at the ankles so they can be put on over shoes. Slightly stretchy material, but not like tights. As a 58 year ol’ (formerly) fat guy, I draw the line at tights. Nobody should have to see that! :)</p>
<p>Super comfortable and good for walking, running, working out in the basement. Pretty much as comfortable for exercise as shorts, but just enough to take the breeze and the chill off the legs. Still ultra breathable. Much better than tech “warm up pants” for exercise, IMO. </p>
<p>If you wear a standard length, you can find deals like this or find them from just about any brand. I need the short length. No deals on those. 
Heck, almost nobody buy Brooks even makes them in various lengths. The Brooks version has 3M reflective piping along the ankle zippers for visibility.</p>
<p>When it’s really cold, I love 100 weight Polartech fleece pants. Thin fleece baggy sweat pants. But, those are too hot for running or exercise.</p>
<p>I just found some killer hiking pants that come in my length. These are lightweight soft brushed tech fabric so they feel like silk. Should be perfect for hiking on 40 to 60 degree days. Could be pressed into service on a cold day with long underwear.</p>
<p>[Marmot</a> Cruz pant](<a href=“http://a3.zassets.com/images/z/1/6/9/5/0/4/1695047-2-4x.jpg]Marmot”>http://a3.zassets.com/images/z/1/6/9/5/0/4/1695047-2-4x.jpg)
[Marmot</a> Cruz pant 2](<a href=“Marmot cruz pant regular slate grey marmot + FREE SHIPPING | Zappos.com”>Marmot cruz pant regular slate grey + FREE SHIPPING | Zappos.com)</p>
<p>idad …check TJ Maxx before you order. I have found several Marmot items there.</p>
<p>Here’s the Marmot on my wish list. Fits like a glove and so pretty! (regular apparel, not for running)</p>
<p>[Wm’s</a> Norhiem Jacket | Marmot Clothing and Equipment](<a href=“http://marmot.com/products/wms_norhiem_jacket]Wm’s”>http://marmot.com/products/wms_norhiem_jacket)</p>
<p>I like the platinum. The mosaic blue is nice, too. There was a darker grey from another season I’ve seen online that looks good.</p>
<p>I had thought it was cotton, but I just noticed on the website it says polyester fleece. I wonder if that means I would suffocate…</p>
<p>“Gluten free” seems to be somewhat faddish these days, such that far more than actual celiacs are avoiding it. It can be effective as a fat loss tactic, though, since so much junk food is made with wheat – it is not the gluten per se that matters, but the fact that eliminating it eliminates much junk food (the same way that low carbohydrate and low fat (Ornish type, not food pyramid type) diets eliminate much junk food that is high in both fats and carbohydrates).</p>
<p>Actual celiacs do benefit from the faddishness of “gluten free” in that there is now increased market demand for gluten free foods (including non-wheat/barley/rye products which are now handled to avoid cross-contamination that was an issue before with some of them).</p>
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<p>I eat what would probably be best described as a high fat, adequate protein, moderately low carb diet. A typical day would break down:</p>
<p>Calories: 1750 to 2250</p>
<p>50% to 60% fat
20% to 25% protein
20% to 25% carbs</p>
<p>I eat large portions of fresh meat, poultry, and seafood and gigantic portions of fresh veggies and salads. I cook with olive oil, butter, and sometimes bacon fat. I drink half and half in my coffee.</p>
<p>I drink absolutely no sugar. No soda. No fruit juice. No sports drinks. I eat essentially no added sugar (except for my homemade bar-b-q sauce and the occasional brocolli slaw recipe). No candy or desserts. My sweet tooth treat is fresh fruit – apples, berries, etc. – although I have to watch it, it’s easy to overdo that stuff. </p>
<p>It’s very rare for me to eat bread or pasta. On average, maybe once a week. I haven’t bought a loaf of bread since April. I do have a little pasta in chicken/rotini soup, which is my version of convenience food lunch, doctored up with a ton of fresh veggies sauteed in a little olive oil. I will occasionally bread something in flour for frying – pan fried pork chops, southern fried chicken, fried haddock, but I generally try to avoid flour. I’ve even learned to really like fajitas without the tortilla.</p>
<p>I do eat some high carb “veggies” – fresh corn on the cob, lima beans, peas, etc. That’s typically how I end up with a “high carb” day. I just can’t come up with enough veggie variety otherwise and – frankly – fresh corn on the cob in the summer is pretty irresistable.</p>
<p>Carbs average about 100g per day (almost all from veggies, fruits, etc.) That’s not super low-carb – more along the lines of permanent maintenance diets from low-carb or paleo folk. I never really got much below that. Mark Sisson has a [carb</a> chart](<a href=“http://i247.■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■/albums/gg158/MDA2008/MDA%202011/Carb_Curve_color.jpg]carb”>http://i247.■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■/albums/gg158/MDA2008/MDA%202011/Carb_Curve_color.jpg) that seems to apply to me. </p>
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<p>If I had to offer one suggestion for fat loss, it would be stop drinking sugar. There’s no benefit at all. In large quantities, sugar is toxic to the liver in exactly the same way that alcohol causes liver disease. And, excess sugar is metabolized by the liver into “arterty-clogging” triglyceries (fat particles). High levels of triglycerides are closely associated with insulin resistance (obesity, type 2 diabetes, etc.) and one of the best predictors of coronary artery disease risk. It’s possible that sugar will prove to be the most significant culprit in this whole range of health issues and the primary cause of insulin resistance. It’s certainly the first place to change a diet for the better.</p>
<p>The wife and I follow Dr. Gundry’s Diet Evolution, based on some of the more recent science. She reccomends the book to her patients trying to lose weight. She also just finished reading “Why We Get Fat” by Gary Taubes, another indictment of the processed corn and wheat based food pyramid.</p>
<p>It is closest to the no sugar, very low carb diets such as Paleo. Breakfast today for the kids was sour cream coffee cake and honeydew melon, for me was greek yogurt with ground flax seed. Lunch is a salad and a piece of fruit.</p>
<p>Some good things about the diet: dark chocolate, red wine, whiskey, coffee, it’s OK to occasionally cheat, essentially unlimited amount of food as long as they are the right ones. People trade recipes to enhance the variety.</p>
<p>Some of the things that make it tough: you have to really like salads, no beer, no breads, no ice cream, no fruit juices, no potatoes.</p>
<p>A couple of nice benefits, aside from losing the love handles, is I no longer need glucosamine for joint pain and I am not sleepy after lunch.</p>
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<p>Indeed. The key to any fat loss diet is a simple set of “rules” that can actually be followed that results in a better diet. For example, “cut down on sugar” is a pretty simple rule. “Cut down on grains” is another pretty simple rule. Both of these, if followed to a reasonable degree, will result in a lower calorie/lower carb diet and will probably work from a fat loss standpoint.</p>
<p>I’m pretty much sold on the fact that sugar causes unique metabolic problems, above and beyond the excessive calories. I’m not as sold on the premise that wheat has a unique set of issues, but I’m open to the possibility that there is something to the “inflammation” issue. At the very least, I figure that bread and bagels and so forth is just empty calories I don’t need. It’s not particularly nutritious. Once you “get off of that stuff”, it’s a pretty simple “rule” to follow. I would cut the sugar first, because it’s possible that sugar is the primary cause of insulin resistance, which makes eating the simple carbs (flour, bread, pasta) more problematic. Without the chronic sugar abuse, it’s possible that stuff would not be so fattening.</p>
![http://a2.zassets.com/images/z/1/1/6/6/3/8/1166380-1-4x.jpg]Brooks](http://a2.zassets.com/images/z/1/1/6/6/3/8/1166380-1-4x.jpg%5DBrooks){kind=link}
![http://a2.zassets.com/images/z/1/1/6/6/3/8/1166380-2-4x.jpg]Brooks](http://a2.zassets.com/images/z/1/1/6/6/3/8/1166380-2-4x.jpg%5DBrooks){kind=link}
![http://a3.zassets.com/images/z/1/6/9/5/0/4/1695047-2-4x.jpg]Marmot](http://a3.zassets.com/images/z/1/6/9/5/0/4/1695047-2-4x.jpg%5DMarmot){kind=link}
![http://i247.■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■/albums/gg158/MDA2008/MDA%202011/Carb_Curve_color.jpg]carb](http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg158/MDA2008/MDA%202011/Carb_Curve_color.jpg%5Dcarb){kind=link}
