It's been 3 months since I retired but I've only seriously started minding what I eat for 2 months allowing one month before that to settle into retirement. Mid-September to mid-October had me bouncing around with my food choices, cravings, etc. so lost only 5 lbs. Since mid-October until now, I've been pretty strict and have lost an additional 10 lbs, for a total of 15. The object was to get into ketosis and I've been there for a while.
I'm buying cod loins, eggs, free-range skin-on chicken breast, really fatty pork cuts, grass fed fatty cuts of beef, cabbage, green beans, cauliflower and brussel sprouts. I'm going to replace the cruciferous veggies with green beans and peas, as I can tolerate peas better. I sometimes make gravy with the drippings using a teaspoon of coconut flour to give me a bit of variety. I don't tolerate coconut products well and need to find a good source of pastured lard. I make my own tartar sauce for fish using sour cream, diced pickles, pickle juice and horseradish mustard. Every 2nd day or so I have 1/3 cup blueberries with full fat plain yogurt.
So, in essence, all my food is delicious and mouth-watering. What a way to diet. It's usually 16 or 17 hours between supper and brunch so I'm mini-fasting and only eat twice a day. Forbidden foods are not in my house, so no cheating for me, and, now that it's winter with tons of snow on the ground, it's not easy to just jump in the car and get whatever it is I am craving.
Still I do not feel like I'm fully keto-adapted and need to continue with this for a while yet. But 15 lbs is still progress for an old lady who is very metabolically challenged, although the ideal destination for me is eating almost zero-carb and that is my goal.
Sunday, 17 November 2013
Thursday, 24 October 2013
Pleasing just one person
Wandering about the blogisphere has made me realize how fortunate I am. Coming from a very small family of 6, two of which have passed on, I have not had much experience with large family gatherings and/or, relatives dropping in from other cities and staying with me. Plus, those of us who are left are pretty independent, with completely different interests and lifestyles, however all of us are committed to eating plans that are zero-carb, ketogenic or atkins-like.
My brother is treating his multiple myeloma with an all meat diet (some eggs) and has successfully been in remission for over 7 years with no toxic medication or chemotherapy. He is an avid cyclist and has no problems entering races (at age 55). He is fully keto-adapted. My sister is doing Atkins and has lost 70 lbs. I'm the one with the weakest will and the most health issues. Can't blame them for undermining my success though.
What I have found since I've retired that has helped me stay on track is the lack of stress and keeping it simple. Not having others at home gives me 100% freedom to prepare whatever foods I desire. For example, today I'm baking liver and onions, to which I will add cauliflower. This will last me for about 3 days. The huge pot of chicken vegetable soup I made on the weekend lasted for 5 days. My daily dessert (if I have one) is 1/3 cup of blueberries with 1/4 cup full fat yogurt. This being in control of what one makes and eats makes a big difference to me. The fact that I'm no longer at work where people are constantly racing past my desk with goodies, smacking their lips and grunting "yummms, ummms" or flagrantly sneaking up behind me with a plate of cake and then yelling "have some, it's home made."
Another thing about this simplicity is that I no longer am hungry or craving anything. I am not looking for replacements for anything like bread or pasta or muffins or whatever. I'm just one of those people who can't do it without the cravings kicking in. I need to stick to those simple, real foods like meat, fish, some dairy, veggies and some fruits. When you are not really hungry what does variety matter when you think about it.
My brother is treating his multiple myeloma with an all meat diet (some eggs) and has successfully been in remission for over 7 years with no toxic medication or chemotherapy. He is an avid cyclist and has no problems entering races (at age 55). He is fully keto-adapted. My sister is doing Atkins and has lost 70 lbs. I'm the one with the weakest will and the most health issues. Can't blame them for undermining my success though.
What I have found since I've retired that has helped me stay on track is the lack of stress and keeping it simple. Not having others at home gives me 100% freedom to prepare whatever foods I desire. For example, today I'm baking liver and onions, to which I will add cauliflower. This will last me for about 3 days. The huge pot of chicken vegetable soup I made on the weekend lasted for 5 days. My daily dessert (if I have one) is 1/3 cup of blueberries with 1/4 cup full fat yogurt. This being in control of what one makes and eats makes a big difference to me. The fact that I'm no longer at work where people are constantly racing past my desk with goodies, smacking their lips and grunting "yummms, ummms" or flagrantly sneaking up behind me with a plate of cake and then yelling "have some, it's home made."
Another thing about this simplicity is that I no longer am hungry or craving anything. I am not looking for replacements for anything like bread or pasta or muffins or whatever. I'm just one of those people who can't do it without the cravings kicking in. I need to stick to those simple, real foods like meat, fish, some dairy, veggies and some fruits. When you are not really hungry what does variety matter when you think about it.
Tuesday, 15 October 2013
Let's freeze off our fat
So in an attempt to lose fat if following conventional dieting wisdom and exercising isn't working, lets just freeze off our fat rather than question conventional dieting wisdom.
Another form of body mutilation in an attempt to lose weight. Sigh!
Another form of body mutilation in an attempt to lose weight. Sigh!
Monday, 23 September 2013
Dr. Kendrick is spot on again
Dr. Malcolm Kendrick's blog is a favorite of mine and he is spot on again in this article which reminded me, once again, why I avoid doctors of any kind.
Well I have to see my Pulminary Specialist whenever he realizes that I haven't been in to see him for over 5 years, lmao, as was the case last December. In the last ten years I have gone to a doctor (twice) only to have my bloodwork done and it's come back stellar, whatever that means. Not bad for a 63 year old who is still overweight. I prefer to treat myself with diet and although I haven't completely lost all the weight I would like, I have eliminated almost all my health issues. Usually, I don't care what my cholesterol is, what my blood pressure is, or anything else. These numbers have been assigned by people I don't know and who may or may not be qualified to do so. Am I a skeptic? You bet your ass. Above all else, I do not trust any of the medications that are peddled by drug companies and doctors who have been brainwashed to prescribe them. Same goes for nutritionists and dieticians, who peddle garbage information.
My retirement is proceeding well and the time is flying by more quickly than when I was working and it's surprising me. I prefer to just play it by ear and mood and yet I'm never bored. What I am catching up on is sleep, usually around 10 hours a day, but it seems I need it. My diet is easier to follow as I eat only when hungry instead of at predetermined times, so it's usually only twice daily. There are no forbidden foods at home to tempt me which helps.
As an example of damage that doctors can do is exemplified by my friend who is now a drug addict. A perfectly normal individual who trusts her doctor, 70 years of age, taking statins, blood pressure meds, anti-depressants, pain killers, diuretics and those are the ones I know about. She tried to reduce her pain killers and ended up in hospital with severe withdrawals. Death by doctor will be the real cause of death and the tragedy is I can't say anything.
Well I have to see my Pulminary Specialist whenever he realizes that I haven't been in to see him for over 5 years, lmao, as was the case last December. In the last ten years I have gone to a doctor (twice) only to have my bloodwork done and it's come back stellar, whatever that means. Not bad for a 63 year old who is still overweight. I prefer to treat myself with diet and although I haven't completely lost all the weight I would like, I have eliminated almost all my health issues. Usually, I don't care what my cholesterol is, what my blood pressure is, or anything else. These numbers have been assigned by people I don't know and who may or may not be qualified to do so. Am I a skeptic? You bet your ass. Above all else, I do not trust any of the medications that are peddled by drug companies and doctors who have been brainwashed to prescribe them. Same goes for nutritionists and dieticians, who peddle garbage information.
My retirement is proceeding well and the time is flying by more quickly than when I was working and it's surprising me. I prefer to just play it by ear and mood and yet I'm never bored. What I am catching up on is sleep, usually around 10 hours a day, but it seems I need it. My diet is easier to follow as I eat only when hungry instead of at predetermined times, so it's usually only twice daily. There are no forbidden foods at home to tempt me which helps.
As an example of damage that doctors can do is exemplified by my friend who is now a drug addict. A perfectly normal individual who trusts her doctor, 70 years of age, taking statins, blood pressure meds, anti-depressants, pain killers, diuretics and those are the ones I know about. She tried to reduce her pain killers and ended up in hospital with severe withdrawals. Death by doctor will be the real cause of death and the tragedy is I can't say anything.
Monday, 12 August 2013
6 Saturdays and a Sunday
Haven't been blogging much because I really don't have anything to blog about and yet much is happening. In essence, just don't feel like writing.
A while back I wrote a post called "only 599 days until retirement." Well that changed as they were trying to get rid of people where I work due to budgetary constraints and offered me a voluntary early retirement severance package. So now I'm officially retired 1 year and 5 months early and they are paying me for the next 43 weeks of retirement enjoyment. I'm still in shock as this happened relatively quickly but I was certainly ready for it.
August 10th was the beginning of my new and carefree life. I think I've spent 50% of the time since then in my jammies, taken several naps and took up a snack that was one of my favorites when I was a kid (and for those who know me, really isn't a surprise): raw garlic. The vehicle for my raw garlic as a child was rye bread, so I started searching for something I could use that was lc friendly. Then I just ate it raw without anything and that worked well. L love garlic so two cloves is not a big deal.
The second thing I wanted to do was dye my hair purple and couldn't find a dye that colour in my cursory inspection when I went shopping. I'll keep at it. Other interests to pursue are a walking regimen and getting my health back. No temptations here at home, eating when truly hungry (maybe twice a day) and more time for cooking healthier meals is another plus.
There is so much to do, however the first few months I will just rest and think about those endless possibilities. My new week is now composed of 6 saturdays and a sunday, lol. I certainly don't need to plan anything if I don't want to.
A while back I wrote a post called "only 599 days until retirement." Well that changed as they were trying to get rid of people where I work due to budgetary constraints and offered me a voluntary early retirement severance package. So now I'm officially retired 1 year and 5 months early and they are paying me for the next 43 weeks of retirement enjoyment. I'm still in shock as this happened relatively quickly but I was certainly ready for it.
August 10th was the beginning of my new and carefree life. I think I've spent 50% of the time since then in my jammies, taken several naps and took up a snack that was one of my favorites when I was a kid (and for those who know me, really isn't a surprise): raw garlic. The vehicle for my raw garlic as a child was rye bread, so I started searching for something I could use that was lc friendly. Then I just ate it raw without anything and that worked well. L love garlic so two cloves is not a big deal.
The second thing I wanted to do was dye my hair purple and couldn't find a dye that colour in my cursory inspection when I went shopping. I'll keep at it. Other interests to pursue are a walking regimen and getting my health back. No temptations here at home, eating when truly hungry (maybe twice a day) and more time for cooking healthier meals is another plus.
There is so much to do, however the first few months I will just rest and think about those endless possibilities. My new week is now composed of 6 saturdays and a sunday, lol. I certainly don't need to plan anything if I don't want to.
Friday, 31 May 2013
Diabetes and Cancer in Canada
Just noticed this article on CBC this morning regarding the sky-rocketing increase in diabetes in Chinese Canadians.
"Diabetes incidence rose 15-fold between 1996-2005 among Canadians of Chinese origin despite lower levels of obesity."
So, the advice we are given?
"Dr. Jan Hux stressed the appropriate action is to pursue a healthy diet that includes whole grains rather than refined grains, eat lots of fruits and vegetables and control portion sizes."
Of course, why didn't I think of that?
Another article recently published is that Liver Cancer in Canada has tripled in men and women since the 1970's. Is that when we really actively started the healthy lifestyle, seed oils instead of saturated fat, lower meat consumption, more healthy whole grains, more sugar, more carbs, more exercise? Blaming it exclusively on Hep B or C or whatever shows they haven't a clue.
"Diabetes incidence rose 15-fold between 1996-2005 among Canadians of Chinese origin despite lower levels of obesity."
So, the advice we are given?
"Dr. Jan Hux stressed the appropriate action is to pursue a healthy diet that includes whole grains rather than refined grains, eat lots of fruits and vegetables and control portion sizes."
Of course, why didn't I think of that?
Another article recently published is that Liver Cancer in Canada has tripled in men and women since the 1970's. Is that when we really actively started the healthy lifestyle, seed oils instead of saturated fat, lower meat consumption, more healthy whole grains, more sugar, more carbs, more exercise? Blaming it exclusively on Hep B or C or whatever shows they haven't a clue.
Thursday, 23 May 2013
I love life
Got home from work, made supper, ate and looked out the window overlooking my balcony. There is a giant evergreen growing 5 feet away, my flower pots are full to overflowing with flowers, there's a bit of a wind, some clouds and the air is wonderful. All of a sudden I choked up, fighting back tears at how wonderful life is (for me) and how much I love life. I still don't like to see the news that shows disasters of nature and the mindless, irrational slaughter of innocent people by people who are crazy, etc. For this moment in time when I look out the window, I feel love, peace, and calm. I love my life regardless of all it's stresses and heartaches.
Besides, I just baked Eddie's flax bread and it's cooling on the counter. Now how much better can life be :)
Besides, I just baked Eddie's flax bread and it's cooling on the counter. Now how much better can life be :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)