<p>emerald, I don’t track the research on this closely because my DH and I don’t have high blood pressure problems. But I’ve worked with a number of epidemiologists who say that the whole sodium/BP link is a hypothesis that the NIH has been determined to see validated and so study after study is performed but truly randomized longterm studies don’t hold up on the hypothesis. </p>
<p>I certainly don’t push salt in my cooking. I do think a single can of Campbell’s beef consomme is worth 10 quarts of pacific broth though.</p>
<p>Currently eating a bowl of low-fat granola with some unsweetened cherries and chopped almonds on top. It’s DELICIOUS!</p>
<p>Will be attending a Go Red For Women luncheon today (Amerian Heart Association). Looking forward to a yummy, but heart healthy lunch! Will see if I pick up any tips while I’m there to share…</p>
<p>After a one week plateau the previous week, I’ve now dropped another 2.2 so am quite happy with my progress this morning. Total is just under 25 lbs, ahead of my plans. I am almost down to the weight on my driver’s license! ( A complete work of fiction, btw.) </p>
<p>Haven’t been eating much different although I did try the sauteed cabbage with brown sugar and found it quite tasty. It does seem to stay with you for several hours… I do wonder if I’m eating too little but am not getting hungry or fainting or anything, so assume I’m doing OK. It is harder to drink a lot of water when it’s 50 degrees instead of 80. Still on the Wii fit every morning and am phasing in some Wii Island jogging in lieu of the last few minutes of step aerobics. I also finally started with 10 crunches today since my flabby tummy is getting annoying (yet much better than the old round tummy).</p>
<p>Out of curiosity I’ve been trying to track down some old weight records, but can only find info back 10 years. I am now lower than any records show in those 10 years. I do have one record from 17 years ago which may have been self-reported, in which case I probably was 5 or 10 pounds heavier than it shows (again with the fiction). In any case, it does indicate a huge jump in those next 10 years (partially attributed to menopause, probably).</p>
<p>My dentist’s receptionist recommended an online weight loss community called Sparkpeople - you have to register but it looks like part of its purpose is to sell books? Is anyone familiar with this site? Can’t imagine it’s any better than this thread, or this thread and Livestrong, anyway.</p>
<p>“I also finally started with 10 crunches today since my flabby tummy is getting annoying (yet much better than the old round tummy).”</p>
<p>Marilyn, great job! I would not recommend crunches. Most people do them incorrectly, so there is no benefit in doing them at all, just more wear and tear of the spine. A plank is much, much more effective exercise for ab strenghening and flabby skin tightening (as tried and tested on my own body).</p>
<p>O…K…just looked up planks and there a lot of variations, the simplest of which seem to be dangerously related to pushups! I’m sure they would be very beneficial but seem much closer to actual workouts than I’ve tried before. Bunsen - those first couple of ab exercises seem a bit more possible for my level of exercise, which basically does not normally take me onto the ground. :o I’ll see what I can handle.</p>
<p>Definitely hit a plateau this week–and this after upping the daily walk into two walks a day in the past week. Well, that takes a bit of starch out of one’s sails!</p>
<p>My 80 y/o father is on Sparkpeople. He is not a people person IRL and so the Sparkcommunity of over XX people are his friends. A bit like CC, but discussing more about health and wellness issues. It works for him.</p>
<p>Interesting, after a week at my new job, in which I took a half hour walk to work and back 3/5 days, was hungry far more often than at home, less snacking, grabbing lunches from food courts etc., my weight is unchanged. From that much hunger, I would have expected weight loss.</p>
<p>I ate more when I was home, but my guess is that externally prepared food has more hidden calories in sauces etc. Moral of the story - Make Your Own.</p>
<p>I think everything in moderation is true about everything – including exercise, eating healthy, being thin, being buff. Just find the sweet spot.</p>
<p>Alumother, congratulations on starting your new job! I wish I could walk to work, but taking the bus works so far. Make Your Own is my strategy when it comes to lunch. I go to the nearby grocery store to replenish my supply of veggies (that I keep in the company’s kitchen fridge) for making lunch salads. I also keep a stash of healthy snacks in my desk drawer. In my experience, hunger and weight do not always go hand in hand.</p>