<p>Mom60, it is interesting to read that your bread eating is out of control and you have pain/inflammation in your joints/knees. Is there any possibility that you have a sensitivity to gluten or wheat? At least one of my athlete friends is now on a 95% wheat-free diet and her joint inflammation went completely away. She also had a thyroid issue and that also went back to normal (no meds needed).</p>
<p>About bread - I’ve been losing weight slowly with low-carb and an occasional magnesium supplement. Well, the past few days I really had carb cravings and I gave in and ate some bread - I got a tummy ache an hour later. I don’t get that when I “cheat” with potato chips. So now I have a good incentive to stay away from bread.</p>
<p>Today is the day I start . . . again . . . for about the 15th time. But it’s better to start again than never start at all. I saw an episode of a TV show called Brain Games where kids had to resist eating cotton candy for 15 minutes. The scientists said that sheer will power really doesn’t work, that it’s better to distract yourself from what you want. I used to think if I just had enough will power I could lose weight, but I guess our brains aren’t wired to work that way. And I do have enough things to distract me, like CC or paid work.</p>
<p>Libby, so true. Very few of us have the iron will power to resist favorite foods. Bread, especially good rye bread, should be classified as an addictive substance! :)</p>
<p>Snowflake- interesting about your friend going gluten free. I have a lot of inflammation in my body. I have also been having some edema in one of my ankles. My D is not concerned but we will do an ultrasound of that leg. No vein issues. My massage therapist who has known me for a lot of years is studying acupunture and chinese medicine has suggested I avoid what they refer to as damp foods.
I love good bread. I could easily give up wine and sweets to keep a little bread in my diet. But I am willing to explore gluten free.
I don’t take any supplements but I am interested in learning more about magnesium and also fish oil. I don’t eat any oily fish.
I made a good curried chicken salad for lunch today using plain yogurt in place of mayo. It was just as good. </p>
<p>I am with you, Libby. Starting… agian. I had a little jumpstart help as I’ve had a stomach bug since Weds night and havent eaten much for the past several days. Just really started to eat again yesterday, and still not a lot. So hopefully that will help my motivation.</p>
<p>Mom60 … Two things I read that cause inflammation, 1) Gluten if you are gluten-sensitive, but certainly avoid all low quality gluten (white generic flour, cookies, crackers), and 2) sugar. Sugar is the enemy of many negative reactions in your body, and calories is the least thing to worry about.</p>
<p>To reduce inflammation, reduce flour and sugar products and replace with vegetables. In addition, ingest good fats like cold water fish oils (high quality fish oils). The fish oils change the ratio of bad fat and good fat in your body which can improve inflammation and taking out the the low quality flours and sugars stops the inflammation.</p>
<p>I read about optimal health for fun and listen to many health podcasts when I exercise and that advice seems consistent across several experts. I am not a nurse or a doctor (full disclosure of my non-credentials).</p>
<p>I’m also ready for a fresh start. The last month was chaotic with packing and moving and eating on the fly. (Not to mention the stress eating that went along with the sale of the family home.) And not finding time to run. :(</p>
<p>I have been following an anti-inflammatory diet my doctor recommended to me - have to say I am feeling much better. It is Dr. Weil’s - link below to the pyramid. I have a printed copy that I take with me to the grocery store - reminds me what is best to eat. </p>
<p><a href=“Anti Inflammatory Diet & Food Pyramid | Andrew Weil, M.D.”>Anti Inflammatory Diet & Food Pyramid | Andrew Weil, M.D.; </p>
<p>Thanks Sabaray. It is worth a try. </p>
<p>Wait-- wine and chocolate are at the top of the “dont eat or eat rarely”??? ^#(^ </p>
<p>I hear you, jym. But, you will enjoy it more when you do have it! Treat yourself to the really good stuff because you won’t be buying as much or as often! :D</p>
<p>My big problem is with IBS - hence the anti-inflammatory diet. Yes, I want to be thin…but I also want to be well. In the past I’ve crashed off weight doing all kinds of stupid things - and gained every pound back. Over and over. </p>
<p>mom60, make sure you “mouse” over the different sections - it will give you specific recommendations for fruits/vegs, etc. It’s been really helpful to me. </p>
<p>Oh wait-- it allows 1-2 glasses of wine a day!! Whoa. I dont drink that in 2 weeks. Maybe 1-2 glasses a month. Alls right with the world again… except the chocolate…</p>
<p>Marilyn, I hope your husband is healing well! I’m sorry that your plans to move have been delayed.</p>
<p>Snowflake, I have a cousin who had a similar experience to your friend. Her problem was eczema, also an autoimmune condition. Her eczema has been awful her entire life. I remember that when she was a child, even her eyelids were affected. She saw many different doctors and tried lot of things, nothing helped. She was miserable with itching all the time. A couple of years ago, in her 50’s, she tried going gluten-free. Her skin improved quickly and within a few weeks the eczema was completely gone. If she gets some gluten by accident, her skin starts to act up again. She does not test positive for celiac disease.</p>
<p>I’ve had a positive change in the last month - I’m now addicted to spinning! About 4 weeks ago, I went to the gym on a Sunday afternoon, intending to do my usual brisk walk on the treadmill. The receptionist came through the locker room as I was changing, asking who was going to the spinning class. There was a woman near me who said that she was going. She was middle-aged and somewhat overweight (but younger than me). I said, “I wish I were in good enough shape to do spinning.” She said that this was only her 2nd time, if she could do it so could I, the teacher is very accepting, etc. She suggested that I go to the class that was about to start, go in the back row next to her. So I did! The teacher was great, she said that my goal should be to stay in the room for 45 minutes. (My goal was actually a bit more ambitious, to keep moving for 45 minutes.) I did the class, at my own speed, and it was great! I never feel that I’ve had a real workout on the treadmill. I set a steep incline and go as fast as possible without running, but my heartrate never goes up much. Spinning definitely gets my heartrate up. Since then, I’ve been going about twice a week, to the same teacher. I’ve been improving quickly and now can keep up with the class some of the time. And I love it. </p>
<p>Snowflake- I had forgot about the health podcasts. I just downloaded a few new ones on my phone for my walks. I already feel more energy with just two days of no wheat.
Like many of us I don’t want or need to be skinny. I want to feel good and have energy.
Sabaray- I picked up fish oil, coenzyme q1@ and vit d3. I normally don’t even take a multi vitamin. Do you take supplements as dr Weil recommends?
I see where I am weak is my vegetable intake. I don’t eat a whole lot of sugar unless I am on a binge. I drink my coffee and tea unsweetened. I don’t keep cookies in the house. I have always preferred salty foods.
NyMomof2- it was brave of you to try something new.</p>
<p>mom60, I take fish oil and Vitamin D supplements - I just finished some megadoses of vitamin D as mine was very low. I need to get re-tested to see where I’m at now. </p>
<p>I think the goal to “feel good and have energy” is an EXCELLENT one and a great place to start. Getting active and making some cleaner (doesn’t have to be perfect!) food choices will get you there! </p>
<p>Someone above mentioned that much to their surprise they love spinning - BINGO - she gave something new a try and while she may have got lucky on the first try - she found something she could do (somewhat at her own pace) and like - that is what everyone needs to do. If you hate running, it’s not for you. If you hate sweating outside, find a cool indoor gym. If you hate sweating - well, that can be hard not to do, but then decide to exercise for shorter periods more frequently. </p>
<p>It’s Monday - look at your calendar for the week - is there any day that you cannot - absolutely cannot - find 20 minutes to exercise???</p>
<p>I am surprised that I liked spinning, abasket. I hate exercise bikes and never use them. I hate the music that is used in exercise classes. But somehow I love spinning, and I can’t explain why. (I did buy a seat cushion immediately and I am less sore after every class.)</p>
<p>I second the Vitamin D. I am in the northeast and work inside on weekdays. Ever since I started Vitamin D my energy and sleep habits went back to normal. (1,000 u in the late spring and summer and 2,000 in fall and winter and early spring).</p>
<p>So I’m joining this group trying to loose weight. I don’t know if loosing weight is the goal but I feel terrific but somehow the insomnia that I had a while back had cause weight gain. Plus I eat lots vegetable fats and nuts.
The thing is I rarely exercise since we started working on my landscaping but it’s getting close to being finish. I now need to get back to the weekly swim that I often do with my husband before we bought the new house.</p>