Petal001
New member
Jack I feel the same . No matter what I seem to do it's stuck fast . I'm just hoping the end result will be that I will lose it
Marsia's Diary
- Thread starter Marsia
- Start date
I´m just going to point to the date I joined this forum... It doesn´t always work but as long as I stick with it (and the forum) at least I don´t gain too much weight and in the long term the scales ARE going in the right direction.
Hi Jack! I ate pretty well before coming to this forum, but was gaining about 3-5 pounds a year steadily for the last 10 years despite massive efforts on my part. So I was just going to cut out sugar when Cate recommended a calorie counter. This was a life saver and helped me lose 25 pounds. Then I didn't lose anything for a month and a half, so I switched to a low carb diet, which has been a serious learning curve but got me back to losing a pound a week. Then I did intermittent fasting for the last month, and I am losing weight (2.5 pounds this week), but more than that, I don't have brain fog and lack of energy anymore. It is initially a lot of effort to get off sugar and it does take a bit of experimenting to figure out intermittent fasting so you are satiated and don't even feel like snacking during fasting times, but I am thoroughly convinced that sugar wreaks all sorts of havoc in our systems, and that we will live longer if we get off it.
Here is what I drink during fasts and why:
-- a cup of hot water with a lemon or lime squeezed into it and 3 shakes of salt (so it doesn't taste horrible) - reduces weight as it increases the body’s metabolic rate, antibacterial and antiviral properties, immune boosting abilities. (I only do one cup of this per fast period as I don't want too much of it's natural sugars to kick me out of the fasting state.)
-- 1.5 to 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in hot water - helps to regulate your blood sugar and improve your digestion, it actually enhances the effects of your intermittent fasting. You can drink as much of this as you like. Some people put more vinegar in each mug of hot water, but it is too strong for me. Be sure to stir it around or you get big sour patches! It takes getting used to, but it is so good for you.
-- tea (with no cream or sweetener, unless you do stevia or other natural, zero calorie sweeteners) - green tea is an appetite suppressant; black tea and oolong tea lower blood sugar; peppermint tea gets rid of gas and bloating; chai tea suppresses sugar cravings.
--sparkling water - fills me up and distracts me with the interesting texture.
--some people drink cofffee and add cinnamon or nutmeg or stevia (or other natural, zero calorie sweetener - avoid artificial sweetners.)
-- some people drink bone broth, too.
Petal and LaMa, I think you are both doing great, and that we are all up against a lot of bad-for-you things in processed food. The more I study, the more I go back to making foods from scratch or eating simple whole foods so I don't have to fuss. Also for me, my health has had to become the number one priority (I think this was possible because I am seeing how screwed my mom is with her horrible health and her not taking diet seriously - we just went to urgent care for blood pressure being 195 for the top number). If I put my health lower on the list of priorities, there are just too many distractions or it is too easy to reach for something that will undue all the good things I did for my body.
Also I am trying to cut down on stress because you can't be stressed out and lose weight at the same time. It's hard because my mom is super stressed about her high blood pressure (and/or the high blood pressure makes her stressed) so she is being cranky and rude, but I am distancing and setting boundaries. I think diet affects health which affects mood, and that this is way more influential than people think about - like I used to work in special education, and just getting an ADHD-diagnosed kid off of sugar sometimes straightened out maybe 70% of their problems.
Also I am trying to cut down on stress because you can't be stressed out and lose weight at the same time. It's hard because my mom is super stressed about her high blood pressure (and/or the high blood pressure makes her stressed) so she is being cranky and rude, but I am distancing and setting boundaries. I think diet affects health which affects mood, and that this is way more influential than people think about - like I used to work in special education, and just getting an ADHD-diagnosed kid off of sugar sometimes straightened out maybe 70% of their problems.
Petal001
New member
Marsia you are right it had to be all about the health really and I admit when I was younger it was vanity but I don't worry about that any more . I want to feel well be active not have my children looking out for me when I'm older . The days I eat well and get in some even gentle exercise makes me feel great .
Your mums BP does sound so high but you are doing the best you can for her . And it's good you are focusing on your self . You are very inspirational
Your mums BP does sound so high but you are doing the best you can for her . And it's good you are focusing on your self . You are very inspirational
Wow, thank you so much, Petal!!
I feel pretty guilty that I am not driving my mom around this week to her appointments because she is such an interesting, great person a lot of the time. But when she is stressed, she tends to pick on me a lot and stress me out to the point that, for instance, her back seat driving makes me make driving mistakes that could be dangerous. I know she is stressed from her health being a mess, but I get so stressed just thinking about being around her that it's better just to ask my husband if he can drive her to some of her appointments, and if he can't, maybe she will see that it would be better not to pick on me so that she has a driver. Her memory is so bad that I worry she will get lost or something, but I have to set some boundaries and not get walked on. Her mother was like that to her, so I know she doesn't see her behavior as abnormal, but I can't put up with it either.
So I have been meditating and that is so helpful. I told Jack I would jog today, and it's a beautiful day out, so I am going to get inspired by you Petal and at least get some gentle exercise in today. I ate a lot yesterday so will take it easy on food today. It's the first day of daylight savings time, so I should get stuff done while it isn't pitch dark after dinner. Time to go enjoy the sunshine!
I feel pretty guilty that I am not driving my mom around this week to her appointments because she is such an interesting, great person a lot of the time. But when she is stressed, she tends to pick on me a lot and stress me out to the point that, for instance, her back seat driving makes me make driving mistakes that could be dangerous. I know she is stressed from her health being a mess, but I get so stressed just thinking about being around her that it's better just to ask my husband if he can drive her to some of her appointments, and if he can't, maybe she will see that it would be better not to pick on me so that she has a driver. Her memory is so bad that I worry she will get lost or something, but I have to set some boundaries and not get walked on. Her mother was like that to her, so I know she doesn't see her behavior as abnormal, but I can't put up with it either.
So I have been meditating and that is so helpful. I told Jack I would jog today, and it's a beautiful day out, so I am going to get inspired by you Petal and at least get some gentle exercise in today. I ate a lot yesterday so will take it easy on food today. It's the first day of daylight savings time, so I should get stuff done while it isn't pitch dark after dinner. Time to go enjoy the sunshine!
Breaking the cycle is a big thing. Keep up the good work!
Thanks LaMa! It's hard to do this, but when she gets like this, she will only get worse unless I distance for a while. My husband is actually driving my mom to the appointment where she really needs help getting home, and she will drive herself the other times. So I get a break and hopefully she will reset and get out of her critical phase.
Today was so beautiful that I went for an hour walk up a steep road into the mountains. You can see the ocean in the distance from places on the road and I met several nice people, well, 2 nice people and a wonderful dog. I didn't jog, but the steepness registered on the Fitbit as 54 sets of stairs and 7.5 miles so far today, so I am happy and will start taking more walks!
Hope everyone is doing well!
Today was so beautiful that I went for an hour walk up a steep road into the mountains. You can see the ocean in the distance from places on the road and I met several nice people, well, 2 nice people and a wonderful dog. I didn't jog, but the steepness registered on the Fitbit as 54 sets of stairs and 7.5 miles so far today, so I am happy and will start taking more walks!
Hope everyone is doing well!
Jenniquest
New member
Good for you on setting boundaries with your mother. That is so hard! Your walk up the mountain sounds incredible, and I'm right there with you on meditation. Makes my whole day better! 
Thanks Petal and Jenni! I think sometimes life gives you lemons on purpose so you will grow. I realize that when my mom gets weird, it triggers the whole past bunch of times she was weird to me growing up, and I think through meditating and de-stressing walks I am maybe getting more of a handle on not stressing because my buttons get pushed. My mom has always been a high stress person, and I have learned to be a lot more mellow and happy, and I think what I am learning at this time in my life is how to let other people freak out if they really feel they have to, but not get so caught up in their stuff. My meditations lately have really calmed me down and I have let go of a lot of muscle tension from them and from the recent walking.
I did another hour walk yesterday in farmland and orchards. Went by a pen of chickens and ducks and a little pygmy goat, and they all rushed out hoping I would feed them. They were so happy and the little goat was teething and chewed on my finger.
I'm going to take it easy today. I have a pretty bad cold and sore throat, and need a day of rest.
Down to 186, so lost 33 pounds thus far.
I did another hour walk yesterday in farmland and orchards. Went by a pen of chickens and ducks and a little pygmy goat, and they all rushed out hoping I would feed them. They were so happy and the little goat was teething and chewed on my finger.
I'm going to take it easy today. I have a pretty bad cold and sore throat, and need a day of rest.
Down to 186, so lost 33 pounds thus far.
My sister posted a meme once that said: Of course your mother knows exactly how to push your buttons; who do you think installed them?
Pygmy goats are adorable! We used to keep a few in our backyard.
I love that quote!!
Were the goats hard to take care of? My daughter loves goats, but I worry about coyotes, bobcats, and mountain lions (we supposedly have a huge mountain lion in the neighborhood) and wonder what goat owners do when they want to go on vacation.
Cate
Long term member
& they say Australia has scary critters!
Jenniquest
New member
Wow, huge congrats on the 33 lbs! You are doing so well. Funny how when we get the body healthy, the mind seems to follow and we take care of ourselves better overall.
Petal001
New member
Marsia well done on the weight loss . At one point we were similar weights but you have left me far behind . Well done to you . I hope some day I will catch you up .
Sorry to hear about the cold and throat . Hope it eases soon . Take some of those lemons !!!
I adore animals , I see lots too where I walk , sheep cows goats pigs etc . Gives my heart a real lift .
Get well soon
Sorry to hear about the cold and throat . Hope it eases soon . Take some of those lemons !!!
I adore animals , I see lots too where I walk , sheep cows goats pigs etc . Gives my heart a real lift .
Get well soon
Thanks everyone! I am having a strange last few days. One moment I have massive amounts of stress coursing through my body and I am super angry with my mom for no reason, just stored up frustration, and the next I am hyper and doing 17,000 steps a day and wearing myself out, and then the flu kicks in and I sleep like crazy. Lost another pound and a half, so down to 184.6 now. I think I was storing a lot of stress in my muscles and the flu is making me relax. I have been concentrating on letting go of my jaw and shoulders especially and think I will take it easy today and just putter around the house and lay in bed relaxing. The walks I took really made me happy and I can't wait to get back to hour long walks. They are both a form of meditation and good exercise rolled into one, as there are good hills here to scale.
Talking with a friend, she mentioned that when you lose weight, you revisit stressful emotions from the past, like you are detoxing physically and emotionally. I forgot to ask what she meant by that. Has anyone else heard this? It really seems to be what is happening with me.
Petal, I hope you aren't worried about losing the weight. You have a good attitude and determination and I think that is 3/4 of the battle. I am losing this quickly because of the intermittent fasting paired with the low carb diet. I bet you will lose so much with cutting out the sugar and simple carbs, and if not, maybe add in the intermittent fasting if you plateau?
I love rescuing plants, and found 10 huge ferns for free by the side of the road, and brought them home (they barely fit in the car) and now I have to dig holes for them before the first freeze comes. So I am going to take it easy so I feel good enough to do that tomorrow. The bed where I am putting them has a lot of ivy I want to get rid of that is climbing up the apple trees. So lots of good exercise if I feel up to it soon!
Talking with a friend, she mentioned that when you lose weight, you revisit stressful emotions from the past, like you are detoxing physically and emotionally. I forgot to ask what she meant by that. Has anyone else heard this? It really seems to be what is happening with me.
Petal, I hope you aren't worried about losing the weight. You have a good attitude and determination and I think that is 3/4 of the battle. I am losing this quickly because of the intermittent fasting paired with the low carb diet. I bet you will lose so much with cutting out the sugar and simple carbs, and if not, maybe add in the intermittent fasting if you plateau?
I love rescuing plants, and found 10 huge ferns for free by the side of the road, and brought them home (they barely fit in the car) and now I have to dig holes for them before the first freeze comes. So I am going to take it easy so I feel good enough to do that tomorrow. The bed where I am putting them has a lot of ivy I want to get rid of that is climbing up the apple trees. So lots of good exercise if I feel up to it soon!