Matt Lentzner, Janine Jagger and I have designed a survey for participants of Gluten-free January, using the online application StatCrunch. Janine is an epidemiologist who studies healthcare worker safety at the University of Virginia; she has experience designing surveys for data collection so we're glad to have her on board. The survey will allow us to systematically gather and analyze data on the results of Gluten-free January. It will be 100 percent anonymous-- none of your answers will be connected to your identity in any way.
This survey has the potential to be really informative, but it will only work if you respond! The more people who take the survey, the more informative it will be, even if you didn't avoid gluten for a single day. If not very many people respond, it will be highly susceptible to "selection bias", where perhaps the only people who responded are people who improved the most, skewing the results.
Matt will be sending the survey out to everyone on his mailing list. Please complete it, even if you didn't end up avoiding gluten at all! There's no shame in it. The survey has responses built in for people who didn't avoid gluten. Your survey will still be useful!
We have potential data from over 500 people. After we crunch the numbers, I'll share them on the blog.
Senin, 31 Januari 2011
Gluten-free January Participants: Take the Survey!
Matt Lentzner, Janine Jagger and I have designed a survey for participants of Gluten-free January, using the online application StatCrunch. Janine is an epidemiologist who studies healthcare worker safety at the University of Virginia; she has experience designing surveys for data collection so we're glad to have her on board. The survey will allow us to systematically gather and analyze data on the results of Gluten-free January. It will be 100 percent anonymous-- none of your answers will be connected to your identity in any way.
This survey has the potential to be really informative, but it will only work if you respond! The more people who take the survey, the more informative it will be, even if you didn't avoid gluten for a single day. If not very many people respond, it will be highly susceptible to "selection bias", where perhaps the only people who responded are people who improved the most, skewing the results.
Matt will be sending the survey out to everyone on his mailing list. Please complete it, even if you didn't end up avoiding gluten at all! There's no shame in it. The survey has responses built in for people who didn't avoid gluten. Your survey will still be useful!
We have potential data from over 500 people. After we crunch the numbers, I'll share them on the blog.
This survey has the potential to be really informative, but it will only work if you respond! The more people who take the survey, the more informative it will be, even if you didn't avoid gluten for a single day. If not very many people respond, it will be highly susceptible to "selection bias", where perhaps the only people who responded are people who improved the most, skewing the results.
Matt will be sending the survey out to everyone on his mailing list. Please complete it, even if you didn't end up avoiding gluten at all! There's no shame in it. The survey has responses built in for people who didn't avoid gluten. Your survey will still be useful!
We have potential data from over 500 people. After we crunch the numbers, I'll share them on the blog.
Very Berry Smoothie
(makes 4 servings)
Ingredients:
- 2 cups orange juice
- 1 cup low or non-fat vanilla yogurt
- 2 small (or 1 large) ripe bananas
- 1 cup berries (fresh or frozen) -- strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries work well.
Preparation:
- Place all ingredients in a blender and blend for about 10 seconds or until all ingredients are smooth.
Make 4 Servings:
Weight loss recipes Amount Per Serving (¼ of recipe (269 g)): 164 Calories, 4 g Protein, 36 g carbohydrates, 2 g Dietary Fiber, 1 g fat, 1 g saturated fat, 3 mg cholesterol, 40 mg sodiumVery Berry Smoothie
(makes 4 servings)
Ingredients:
- 2 cups orange juice
- 1 cup low or non-fat vanilla yogurt
- 2 small (or 1 large) ripe bananas
- 1 cup berries (fresh or frozen) -- strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries work well.
Preparation:
- Place all ingredients in a blender and blend for about 10 seconds or until all ingredients are smooth.
Make 4 Servings:
Weight loss recipes Amount Per Serving (¼ of recipe (269 g)): 164 Calories, 4 g Protein, 36 g carbohydrates, 2 g Dietary Fiber, 1 g fat, 1 g saturated fat, 3 mg cholesterol, 40 mg sodium31/365 - Upcoming Event: Mormon Helping Hands 4/30/11
Last year was the first time our entire state participated in a huge park clean-up event. We wanted to use twitter to spread the word, but the whole concept was entirely new to those putting the event together in our area. They asked if I could help out with an explanation and a video was made. I just saw the video for the first time today and I thought I would share.
This year, on April 30th, we'll be doing another project throughout the state. I'm looking forward in participating.
This year, on April 30th, we'll be doing another project throughout the state. I'm looking forward in participating.
Dinner
Above is Onions sliced with mandolin, 300g defrosted frozen spinach, garlic, pepper, salt and 1 tub of philadelphia (or quark for low fat option)
Above: Very cripsy bacon
Above: Pasta, spinach mix and shredded cripsy bacon
Monday Weigh in
This morning I was down to 118.4kgs (262lbs or 18 stone 9lbs)
This is cool as when I resumed my band journey in October in earnest I weighed 122kgs (269lbs or 19stone 3)
I am being very careful with this fill. Yesterday I had soup and liquids or yogurt all day and then about 11pm I had about a cup of mashed potato with some creamy coleslaw.
Today I had a berroca during my workout at the gym. I don't really like them, so putting it in the sports bottle meant that I did actually finish it. We fast walked 5k, rowed 5k and cycled 5k with a little bit of PowerPlate wiggling and some random tries of other machines to see what they were like. Then for lunch TB had made a nice soup, but it was too 'whole' for me with big lumps of veg in. The spoonful I did eat was really tasty, but I just couldn't eat any more after the first bite. I know from old that I never used to be able to eat before about 4pm, so I came home and the soup finally passed through the stoma. I had a couple of coffees and tea and then a can of mushroom soup for very late lunch.
I haven't got a clue what to do for dinner tonight, But I think I am going to make an old favorite - Pasta with spinach, Philadelphia and bacon. I don't know how much I will manage but I will take my time as always, and chew chew chew!
I think I actually might have a working band. who the FUCK would have thought it!! HURRAH!
This is cool as when I resumed my band journey in October in earnest I weighed 122kgs (269lbs or 19stone 3)
I am being very careful with this fill. Yesterday I had soup and liquids or yogurt all day and then about 11pm I had about a cup of mashed potato with some creamy coleslaw.
Today I had a berroca during my workout at the gym. I don't really like them, so putting it in the sports bottle meant that I did actually finish it. We fast walked 5k, rowed 5k and cycled 5k with a little bit of PowerPlate wiggling and some random tries of other machines to see what they were like. Then for lunch TB had made a nice soup, but it was too 'whole' for me with big lumps of veg in. The spoonful I did eat was really tasty, but I just couldn't eat any more after the first bite. I know from old that I never used to be able to eat before about 4pm, so I came home and the soup finally passed through the stoma. I had a couple of coffees and tea and then a can of mushroom soup for very late lunch.
I haven't got a clue what to do for dinner tonight, But I think I am going to make an old favorite - Pasta with spinach, Philadelphia and bacon. I don't know how much I will manage but I will take my time as always, and chew chew chew!
I think I actually might have a working band. who the FUCK would have thought it!! HURRAH!
Minggu, 30 Januari 2011
Triple Melon Smoothie
(makes 2 servings)
Ingredients:
- 1 cup low-fat peach yogurt
- 1 cup 1% milk
- ½ cup seedless watermelon, chopped
- ½ cup cantaloupe, chopped
- ½ cup honeydew melon, chopped
- 4 ice cubes
Preparation:
- Put yogurt, milk and watermelon in blender and blend on high for 20 seconds.
- Add cantaloupe, honeydew melon and ice cubes and blend on high for 45 seconds or to desired consistency.
Make 2 Servings:
Weight loss recipes Amount Per Serving (½ of recipe (358 g)): 205 Calories, 9 g Protein, 37 g carbohydrates, 1 g Dietary Fiber, 3 g fat, 2 g saturated fat, 10 mg cholesterol, 131 mg sodiumTriple Melon Smoothie
(makes 2 servings)
Ingredients:
- 1 cup low-fat peach yogurt
- 1 cup 1% milk
- ½ cup seedless watermelon, chopped
- ½ cup cantaloupe, chopped
- ½ cup honeydew melon, chopped
- 4 ice cubes
Preparation:
- Put yogurt, milk and watermelon in blender and blend on high for 20 seconds.
- Add cantaloupe, honeydew melon and ice cubes and blend on high for 45 seconds or to desired consistency.
Make 2 Servings:
Weight loss recipes Amount Per Serving (½ of recipe (358 g)): 205 Calories, 9 g Protein, 37 g carbohydrates, 1 g Dietary Fiber, 3 g fat, 2 g saturated fat, 10 mg cholesterol, 131 mg sodiumExercise tips to get fit
Want to know what the best exercise tip is to achieve that end firm, tight and attractive? I do not think I know a woman who will not only achieve a tighter final end .
Well, the answer to your search for the best year end is not in a flamboyant jet machine or extreme. In fact, most of the best exercises are done simply end with bodyweight or free weights. Will cover one of the most effective exercises to tighten the old buttocks in this article.
It's called the one-legged Romanian Deadlift . It is a great exercise for specifying both the end and the back of the thighs. Also, because this is a one-legged exercise, actually helps strengthen the ankles and other stabilizer muscles throughout your legs. Here's how:
1. Look straight ahead, stand and balance on one leg, and puts the other leg slightly behind you.
2. Keep a very slight tilt in the knee throughout this exercise.
3. Now start to bend forward at the same time pushing back end and hips and keeping a flat (not rounded) back.
4. By bending over and pushing the hips support, kicking off another leg behind you and reach down with his hands towards the toe is planted in the ground and try to touch it. You should feel a stretch in the hamstrings as it arrives at the deepest part where your back is parallel to the floor.
5. Then, focusing on squeezing the muscle hard end while reverses and brings support to the upright (all the while maintaining that flat back)
Well, that was a representative! Now make a 5-10 representatives on each leg for 2-3 sets mixing this exercise into one of your normal (or even try this at home only in his room.) At the end of a couple places, I guarantee you will feel the first in your buttocks and back of the thighs!
I know that may sound a bit complicated, and the first time you try this exercise in extreme, you may need to really concentrate on your balance. But after a couple sessions of practicing these lame Romanian deadlifts, you will begin to understand and be able to achieve focus more concentration to keep the tight end across the range of motion.
Once you get this down and practice this extreme murderer and thigh exercise regularly, it will be well on your way to show off a tight end and more attractive! See below for most amazing extreme exercises and thigh .
Well, the answer to your search for the best year end is not in a flamboyant jet machine or extreme. In fact, most of the best exercises are done simply end with bodyweight or free weights. Will cover one of the most effective exercises to tighten the old buttocks in this article.
It's called the one-legged Romanian Deadlift . It is a great exercise for specifying both the end and the back of the thighs. Also, because this is a one-legged exercise, actually helps strengthen the ankles and other stabilizer muscles throughout your legs. Here's how:
1. Look straight ahead, stand and balance on one leg, and puts the other leg slightly behind you.
2. Keep a very slight tilt in the knee throughout this exercise.
3. Now start to bend forward at the same time pushing back end and hips and keeping a flat (not rounded) back.
4. By bending over and pushing the hips support, kicking off another leg behind you and reach down with his hands towards the toe is planted in the ground and try to touch it. You should feel a stretch in the hamstrings as it arrives at the deepest part where your back is parallel to the floor.
5. Then, focusing on squeezing the muscle hard end while reverses and brings support to the upright (all the while maintaining that flat back)
Well, that was a representative! Now make a 5-10 representatives on each leg for 2-3 sets mixing this exercise into one of your normal (or even try this at home only in his room.) At the end of a couple places, I guarantee you will feel the first in your buttocks and back of the thighs!
I know that may sound a bit complicated, and the first time you try this exercise in extreme, you may need to really concentrate on your balance. But after a couple sessions of practicing these lame Romanian deadlifts, you will begin to understand and be able to achieve focus more concentration to keep the tight end across the range of motion.
Once you get this down and practice this extreme murderer and thigh exercise regularly, it will be well on your way to show off a tight end and more attractive! See below for most amazing extreme exercises and thigh .
Super teeeeee-ight & thank you
Well, things had settled immensely after the orange juice debacle yesterday, but we went to a friends for dinner in the evening. She had made 4 courses. This obviously strikes feelings of deep doom into bandsters around the globe, even one as slack and shizzy at it as me - especially after a fill! GULP
I knew that I was never going to be able to eat much, if anything, so as she served up, and I glugged some green tea (I had come armed with my pot and leaves!). I had a little nibble of a tiny asparagus spear in anchovy butter. It was... not the most pleasant of dishes I must admit. I had about 3 tips and then stopped as I felt chogged, even though I had pureed it to death and back in my mouth and drank, and waited and breathed and all those little tricks.
Nah.
It came back at me, and I passed on the soup, the beef stew and rice and also the caramel cheese cake. I Even
Dun Dun Dunnnnnnn
Passed on the WINE!
Dun Dun Dunnnnnnn
Passed on the WINE!
Yes it was a spectacular fail and I felt like a dick.
So we came home, after having actually a really really fun evening, food or no, to a time called
"Try and take my tablets after a fill"
Its always a fabulous sort of family horror event, and last night took the Golden Globes and Oscars in a clean sweep!
By the end of the dinner party I was consuming a little water, had half a glass of red, and a little black tea relatively okay... so I thought I might as well give it a bash. Now I am not very good at taking tablets 'dry' so I have to have quite a lot of fluid. I thought that things were OK - there was some glugging, gurgling, belching, blopering going on in there at that special mid tit region, so I swallowed em down. After 2 minutes, I had to hurl.
I take high doses of Gabaentin, Tolterodine and other concoctions for my lupus and my criminal piston pain (that's my word for the urethra for those new here) and I HAVE to take them or I start going into withdrawal. If I miss them, it only takes 2 days for me to be a twitching wreck trying to score a hit! I never miss taking them though - mainly because I am addicted to them so I never EVER forget!! These are the only tablets I have never forgotten. My body simply knows when it's time for pills!! HAHA They are an Opiate based and nasty and am on em for life. So you can imagine that the thought of not taking these pills is like totally alien to my being.
However, hurling these beauties is G R I M I honestly could not believe the taste, it was unreal! I puked as only a bandit knows how, then it was immediately followed by a massive spasm of REAL vomiting and then proper dry retchy heaving for 30 seconds on the afterkillertaste! OH WOW! They were so bad, and kinda spicy and burny and frothy and hell like and tasted like death itself.
Honestly, I have tasted some foul shit before, but this was on a new level. I swilled my mouth out fast with TCP mouthwash just to take the taste away. I hate it, but less than that shit! TCP was the only thing I could think of that would take the taste away and disguise it completely and luckily (!?) I only bought it the other day for my sore throat. Small merices!
DH said afterwards that the heaved pills stank the kitchen out like dead fish. Truly scary times. I have oft been tempted to make it easier after fills by opening the cases on the pills and just mixing them with water or something, but this has given me the whole answer in full. That's is not ever happening.
DH said afterwards that the heaved pills stank the kitchen out like dead fish. Truly scary times. I have oft been tempted to make it easier after fills by opening the cases on the pills and just mixing them with water or something, but this has given me the whole answer in full. That's is not ever happening.
So after this headache, and a quick email to Jane that I needed an unfill pronto in the morning, we went to bed. I lay there gurgling the night away and willing myself not to salivate in fear of waking up vomiting. I slept really well strangely, and thought this little 0.5 was not too bad really whilst I slurped on my first cuppa of the day.
At 9am I gave Jane a ring, bless her she must HATE me! I had drunk 2 cups of black tea at this point, so things were looking good, and I thought that I had better let her know things were ok and I would manage. She suggested that I ring back at 2ish and let her know how things were going, which was a massive stroke because things disintegrated from the black tea onwards.
We went out this morning for a couple of hours and I was sipping thoughout, but I noticed it just starting to slow down through the stoma! I only had a few sips of drink between 9am and 1pm. I was able to drink, it wasn't sticking, or making me sick, but I could just really feel it sitting there for a little longer than was necessary or needed. It felt uncomfortable and like I couldn't relax. I could feel everything going on; I was really aware of having a band and I just thought, you know what? I don't need this. So I called her up and asked if she could take a smidge back out.
At 9am I gave Jane a ring, bless her she must HATE me! I had drunk 2 cups of black tea at this point, so things were looking good, and I thought that I had better let her know things were ok and I would manage. She suggested that I ring back at 2ish and let her know how things were going, which was a massive stroke because things disintegrated from the black tea onwards.
We went out this morning for a couple of hours and I was sipping thoughout, but I noticed it just starting to slow down through the stoma! I only had a few sips of drink between 9am and 1pm. I was able to drink, it wasn't sticking, or making me sick, but I could just really feel it sitting there for a little longer than was necessary or needed. It felt uncomfortable and like I couldn't relax. I could feel everything going on; I was really aware of having a band and I just thought, you know what? I don't need this. So I called her up and asked if she could take a smidge back out.
So this afternoon at 4:30 I had 0.2ml taken back out. So I just have an extra 0.3ml instead which I am really happy to have a go with. I could drink immediately although with that nice thunky glug noise which we all know and love, so things are on the march I hope!
On a completely different tack, I have been thinking about Babara and her girls today so much. I think its finally sunk in that Mark has gone and that lovely lady Barbara who has been so strong for so long is just shattered in pieces. I feel so deeply sad for them. I have never met her (or been to boobs cos I am a UK bandit) but I have followed her blog forever. I was so pleased and proud of us bloggers for the over 70 comments I saw on her blog this morning. We all really do pull together and no one is alone in their struggles, whatever they are, in this little world of cyber-reality.
It takes something like that for us all to realise what we have created, all of us - A massive network of ladies and men from all over the place living their day to day lives with a band. Our lives come into our blogs so often, but I know I always wonder whats the use of telling some of the boring shit I write about, but this is how Barbara is gonna get a heap of support she would never have known if she hadn't been a blogger or a bandit. If she had thought it was boring, or not of interest to us to know about her husband, her kids, her home and day to day stuff that shes gotten up to over the years, we would not have known about her struggles of late or be able to sense her pain now. We wouldn't have been able to give her the only thing we can - our love and support.
We never know when we are going to need some kind words, love, prayers, a nudge in the right direction or just to be told to hang in there or that we are doing just fine. Sometimes we get told, and we didn't know we needed it until we see that email flashing with a comment.
Its a cliche that we take stuff for granted, but I feel like I know so many of you, and I guess it goes the same the other way. That's simply lovely.
On a completely different tack, I have been thinking about Babara and her girls today so much. I think its finally sunk in that Mark has gone and that lovely lady Barbara who has been so strong for so long is just shattered in pieces. I feel so deeply sad for them. I have never met her (or been to boobs cos I am a UK bandit) but I have followed her blog forever. I was so pleased and proud of us bloggers for the over 70 comments I saw on her blog this morning. We all really do pull together and no one is alone in their struggles, whatever they are, in this little world of cyber-reality.
It takes something like that for us all to realise what we have created, all of us - A massive network of ladies and men from all over the place living their day to day lives with a band. Our lives come into our blogs so often, but I know I always wonder whats the use of telling some of the boring shit I write about, but this is how Barbara is gonna get a heap of support she would never have known if she hadn't been a blogger or a bandit. If she had thought it was boring, or not of interest to us to know about her husband, her kids, her home and day to day stuff that shes gotten up to over the years, we would not have known about her struggles of late or be able to sense her pain now. We wouldn't have been able to give her the only thing we can - our love and support.
We never know when we are going to need some kind words, love, prayers, a nudge in the right direction or just to be told to hang in there or that we are doing just fine. Sometimes we get told, and we didn't know we needed it until we see that email flashing with a comment.
Its a cliche that we take stuff for granted, but I feel like I know so many of you, and I guess it goes the same the other way. That's simply lovely.
I am glad that I found all of your people who read my blog. I know that when the chips are down, I have friend's to eat them with!
Love to you all, and it goes without saying but especially to Barbara.
Sabtu, 29 Januari 2011
Woulda, shoulda, coulda
From WiseGeek.com:
"For many of us, there is a clear distinction between what actually happened and what we wished would have happened in a given situation. Sometimes people realize a number of options they could have or should have taken instead of the action they actually took. This feeling of regret or second-guessing is summed up in the expression woulda coulda shoulda."
A friend of mine made a new year's resolution to stop her "woulda coulda shoulda" habit. Each time she says one of these words she has to put a quarter in a jar. She then proceeded to tell me about her vacation, and said "we should have made our reservations....". She stopped, and said "whoops! Another quarter!".
It's so easy to slip into a pattern of regret, where we wish we'd made different choices. We often criticize ourselves for making bad choices, thinking we could have, should have, done things differently. I often do this to myself, then I proceed to berate myself for the bad choices I made when I know better. Does this do me any good? Absolutely not. If anything, it perpetuates a feeling of defeat and that I'm just not good enough or smart enough to lose weight. It makes me feel weak and helpless to dwell on my failures. It serves no real purpose.
I've decided I'm done with the past. I posted recently that 2010 was a lost year. I didn't gain weight, I didn't lose weight. Now January 2011 is a lost month. I continued my no gain, no lose pattern..
It's time for me to stop looking back at my failures and time to start looking forward. I have the Big Climb in exactly seven weeks. On March 20th, I'll be climbing 1,311 stairs (69 floors). I can't cancel or just not show up for this event. I'm the team captain, and many of the team members are coworkers. As a team captain I'm required to be present. It would be not be cool of me to drop out, it's not an option.
I call 2010 my lost year, starting and ending at the same weight, 180. Now January 2011 is another lost month. Starting and ending at 180 pounds. Not exactly where I'd hope to be, but not at the 239 pounds I started at February 19, 2008.
The good news, February is notoriously my month to lose weight. I've started many successful diets in February. In fact, February 19 will mark three years of Weight Watcher meetings. I don't know why it's my month, perhaps because spring seems like it's just around the corner and spring is my season (with summer a close second). Spring means skimpier clothing, and right now, none of my size 10 summer clothing fits.
Moving forward now...
"For many of us, there is a clear distinction between what actually happened and what we wished would have happened in a given situation. Sometimes people realize a number of options they could have or should have taken instead of the action they actually took. This feeling of regret or second-guessing is summed up in the expression woulda coulda shoulda."
A friend of mine made a new year's resolution to stop her "woulda coulda shoulda" habit. Each time she says one of these words she has to put a quarter in a jar. She then proceeded to tell me about her vacation, and said "we should have made our reservations....". She stopped, and said "whoops! Another quarter!".
It's so easy to slip into a pattern of regret, where we wish we'd made different choices. We often criticize ourselves for making bad choices, thinking we could have, should have, done things differently. I often do this to myself, then I proceed to berate myself for the bad choices I made when I know better. Does this do me any good? Absolutely not. If anything, it perpetuates a feeling of defeat and that I'm just not good enough or smart enough to lose weight. It makes me feel weak and helpless to dwell on my failures. It serves no real purpose.
I've decided I'm done with the past. I posted recently that 2010 was a lost year. I didn't gain weight, I didn't lose weight. Now January 2011 is a lost month. I continued my no gain, no lose pattern..
It's time for me to stop looking back at my failures and time to start looking forward. I have the Big Climb in exactly seven weeks. On March 20th, I'll be climbing 1,311 stairs (69 floors). I can't cancel or just not show up for this event. I'm the team captain, and many of the team members are coworkers. As a team captain I'm required to be present. It would be not be cool of me to drop out, it's not an option.
I call 2010 my lost year, starting and ending at the same weight, 180. Now January 2011 is another lost month. Starting and ending at 180 pounds. Not exactly where I'd hope to be, but not at the 239 pounds I started at February 19, 2008.
The good news, February is notoriously my month to lose weight. I've started many successful diets in February. In fact, February 19 will mark three years of Weight Watcher meetings. I don't know why it's my month, perhaps because spring seems like it's just around the corner and spring is my season (with summer a close second). Spring means skimpier clothing, and right now, none of my size 10 summer clothing fits.
Moving forward now...
Spiced Banana Orange Smoothie
(makes 2 servings)
Ingredients:
- 1 banana, peeled and cut into chunks
- 1 large seedless orange, peeled and sliced
- 2 cups plain or vanilla-flavored soy milk
- 1 tsp powdered ginger
- 3-4 ice cubes
Preparation:
- Place all ingredients except ice cubes in blender. Cover and blend on high speed for 15 seconds or until smooth.
- Add ice cubes, cover and blend for 15 seconds more or until well blended.
- Serve immediately.
Make 2 Servings:
Weight loss recipes Amount Per Serving (½ of recipe (261 g)): 118 Calories, 5 g Protein, 19 g carbohydrates, 5 g Dietary Fiber, 3 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 20 mg sodiumSpiced Banana Orange Smoothie
(makes 2 servings)
Ingredients:
- 1 banana, peeled and cut into chunks
- 1 large seedless orange, peeled and sliced
- 2 cups plain or vanilla-flavored soy milk
- 1 tsp powdered ginger
- 3-4 ice cubes
Preparation:
- Place all ingredients except ice cubes in blender. Cover and blend on high speed for 15 seconds or until smooth.
- Add ice cubes, cover and blend for 15 seconds more or until well blended.
- Serve immediately.
Make 2 Servings:
Weight loss recipes Amount Per Serving (½ of recipe (261 g)): 118 Calories, 5 g Protein, 19 g carbohydrates, 5 g Dietary Fiber, 3 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 20 mg sodiumCheeky fill
Well today I done got me a cheeky fill!
I now have 6.5mls in my band. I had a little freak out earlier as I glugged some orange juice and it just sat there. ARGHHHHHHHH and for an hour it was sat sitting there and in the end had to barf. Since then all has been well. I vaguely remember that orange juice can have that effect. I think I had had a milky coffee earlier so it could have curdles with it... who knows. But at present its all ok.
Here follows a grotesque (i.e. my guttage) section of photos of me having a fill. it was a bad angle ok????!!! LOL
All sorted. I hate having to roll down my trousers to my caesarian scar hang over point. Its so humiliating!! Oh well, never mind. Soon I will be a scrawny bint! YAY thanks Jane!
I now have 6.5mls in my band. I had a little freak out earlier as I glugged some orange juice and it just sat there. ARGHHHHHHHH and for an hour it was sat sitting there and in the end had to barf. Since then all has been well. I vaguely remember that orange juice can have that effect. I think I had had a milky coffee earlier so it could have curdles with it... who knows. But at present its all ok.
Here follows a grotesque (i.e. my guttage) section of photos of me having a fill. it was a bad angle ok????!!! LOL
All sorted. I hate having to roll down my trousers to my caesarian scar hang over point. Its so humiliating!! Oh well, never mind. Soon I will be a scrawny bint! YAY thanks Jane!
Jumat, 28 Januari 2011
Fresh Hawaiian Smoothie
(makes 2 servings)
Ingredients:
- ½ cup mango, fresh or frozen
- ½ cup cantaloupe, fresh or frozen
- 1 cup strawberries, fresh or frozen
- 1 cup pineapple juice (or more to thin)
Preparation:
- Place all ingredients in a blender and blend for 10 seconds or until smooth.
Make 2 Servings:
Weight loss recopes Amount Per Serving (½ of recipe (283 g)): 143 Calories, 1 g Protein, 35 g carbohydrates, 3 g Dietary Fiber, 1 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 6 mg sodiumFresh Hawaiian Smoothie
(makes 2 servings)
Ingredients:
- ½ cup mango, fresh or frozen
- ½ cup cantaloupe, fresh or frozen
- 1 cup strawberries, fresh or frozen
- 1 cup pineapple juice (or more to thin)
Preparation:
- Place all ingredients in a blender and blend for 10 seconds or until smooth.
Make 2 Servings:
Weight loss recopes Amount Per Serving (½ of recipe (283 g)): 143 Calories, 1 g Protein, 35 g carbohydrates, 3 g Dietary Fiber, 1 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 6 mg sodium28/365 - Focus is Key
I am so grateful that my goal is on my daily workout and nothing else. If my focus was on the scale, I would be discouraged. If my success was based on how my pants feel, I would have already fallen off the wagon. But since I'm not focusing on anything but the workout, I feel GREAT!!
Yesterday I put on some pants that were a little looser when I first put them on last summer. Yes, it was before they were first washed, but that's beside the point. It doesn't matter, if you put on snug clothes that were once loose, it always messes with your head.
If you've been following since the beginning of the year, you know that I haven't been focusing too closely on my eating. I haven't been porking, but I haven't been careful either. Considering my day yesterday, I would have thrown all weight loss efforts out and binged. But I didn't. Why? Because I reminded myself of the goal: daily workouts for 365 days in a row. Have I been doing it? OH YEAH, every night!! Suddenly all the guilt and frustration and crud that fills your head when you feel UGG instantly left. Hope returned and the scale and lovely pant issues faded into the back of my mind. I love my goal!
Yesterday I put on some pants that were a little looser when I first put them on last summer. Yes, it was before they were first washed, but that's beside the point. It doesn't matter, if you put on snug clothes that were once loose, it always messes with your head. If you've been following since the beginning of the year, you know that I haven't been focusing too closely on my eating. I haven't been porking, but I haven't been careful either. Considering my day yesterday, I would have thrown all weight loss efforts out and binged. But I didn't. Why? Because I reminded myself of the goal: daily workouts for 365 days in a row. Have I been doing it? OH YEAH, every night!! Suddenly all the guilt and frustration and crud that fills your head when you feel UGG instantly left. Hope returned and the scale and lovely pant issues faded into the back of my mind. I love my goal!
The wine was my downfall
After three days of being really good, eating on plan, feeling a few hunger pains during the day (a good thing),and having a late night healthy snack at 9pm each day that seemed to put a stop to my binges, I totally blew it.
It started out well yesterday, healthy breakfast, healthy lunch, and super busy at work. So busy that it took me four hours to eat my salad of spinach, shrimp, and clementines with balsamic vinegar and a teaspoon of oil. It's my latest most favorite lunch (at home I add a little red onion, but not at work). I worked through lunch, with barely time to eat a few bites, then meetings all afternoon. I'd grab a few bites between meetings. A crazy day.
I had a fantastic workout yesterday, as I have every day this week, plus I've been doing our three flights of stairs at work twelve times during lunch each day, 720 steps (except yesterday). Every morning 110 to 120 flights on the StairMaster, plus 40 minutes of strength.
Then my eating plan went all to heck. Last night I had a date with my best girlfriend. Her birthday was a couple weeks ago (the breakfast at IHOP), but we always celebrate later in the month with dinner and a movie. Her pick for both since she's the birthday girl.
I was so busy all day that I didn't even have time to ask her where we were going. When I picked her up at 5:30 p.m. she said the dreaded two words: Claim Jumpers. This is a very bad restaurant. My girlfriend usually chooses this restaurant since it's one of favorites. When I know we're going there I go to their nutritional information on their website, decide what I'm going to eat and stick to it. This always works for me because I sort of get my mind around it, and I feel good about it. This restaurant is like hell for a dieter. Giant servings of fat-laden, delicious food. There are healthy choices, but you have to be really careful.
Last night, after a horrendously stressful work day, I couldn't even think straight (this is my excuse for what happened). The Claim Jumper website is very unfriendly and difficult to use. It takes time to look things up and it's hard to find things (because everything has a million calories and they don't want people to know). In other words, trying to do it on my Blackberry was just about impossible.
I asked the waitress to see their nutritional information. I got this story from our very sweet waitress. "Yes, we know it's the law in Washington state for restaurants to provide that information, but the restaurant chain has been purchased by a business in Texas, where nutritional information is not required. They just redesigned the menu and didn't realize they needed provide the nutritional information. They're working on it."
Oh well, I'm a big girl, and I know what's healthy and what's not. I ordered the half rotisserie chicken (and it was a tiny, baby chicken) and a dry baked sweet potato (which was huge and delicious), no bread (they have the most amazing corn bread you've ever tasted). Good so far, right?
Then I messed up. I know my girlfriend loves a glass of wine with dinner. I also know if I don't order it she won't either. I entirely gave up wine several months ago. I decided it was just a waste of calories and usually gave me a headache.
Last night I was tired, stressed with a neck thing going on, and a glass of wine sounded good. So I ordered a glass of Cabernet. It was huge (as everything is in this place except for that chicken). Probably at least two servings.
I ate every bite of my dinner (which would probably have been enough food for three people). Then I ordered dessert. My girlfriend's favorite dessert, Lemon Bar Brulee. And no, we didn't share a piece and yes, it was wonderful. It's a lemon bar cheesecake thing with raspberry sauce and whip cream. I looked up the dessert this morning, 747 calories, 16 gr of fat, 105 gr carbs, 1 gr fiber.
Anyway, the end of the story is that I gained two pounds overnight. 180.2 this morning. I know some of it's probably the sodium. I know it was just one night. I know it's not that big of a deal. It's just that I have Weight Watchers tomorrow, which means I have to weigh in. Sort of depressing.
The movie was great though. No Strings Attached. Very funny, cute chick flick with Natalie Portman and Aston Kutcher (love him). I had a great visit with my girlfriend. It was very fun and yes, I would do it again, but skip the wine and dessert. Maybe. :)
Life happens, but I really need to get serious about losing weight and stop just talking about it. The Big Climb is less than two months away. Remember, 1,311 steps. Scary at 180 pounds!
It started out well yesterday, healthy breakfast, healthy lunch, and super busy at work. So busy that it took me four hours to eat my salad of spinach, shrimp, and clementines with balsamic vinegar and a teaspoon of oil. It's my latest most favorite lunch (at home I add a little red onion, but not at work). I worked through lunch, with barely time to eat a few bites, then meetings all afternoon. I'd grab a few bites between meetings. A crazy day.
I had a fantastic workout yesterday, as I have every day this week, plus I've been doing our three flights of stairs at work twelve times during lunch each day, 720 steps (except yesterday). Every morning 110 to 120 flights on the StairMaster, plus 40 minutes of strength.
Then my eating plan went all to heck. Last night I had a date with my best girlfriend. Her birthday was a couple weeks ago (the breakfast at IHOP), but we always celebrate later in the month with dinner and a movie. Her pick for both since she's the birthday girl.
I was so busy all day that I didn't even have time to ask her where we were going. When I picked her up at 5:30 p.m. she said the dreaded two words: Claim Jumpers. This is a very bad restaurant. My girlfriend usually chooses this restaurant since it's one of favorites. When I know we're going there I go to their nutritional information on their website, decide what I'm going to eat and stick to it. This always works for me because I sort of get my mind around it, and I feel good about it. This restaurant is like hell for a dieter. Giant servings of fat-laden, delicious food. There are healthy choices, but you have to be really careful.
Last night, after a horrendously stressful work day, I couldn't even think straight (this is my excuse for what happened). The Claim Jumper website is very unfriendly and difficult to use. It takes time to look things up and it's hard to find things (because everything has a million calories and they don't want people to know). In other words, trying to do it on my Blackberry was just about impossible.
I asked the waitress to see their nutritional information. I got this story from our very sweet waitress. "Yes, we know it's the law in Washington state for restaurants to provide that information, but the restaurant chain has been purchased by a business in Texas, where nutritional information is not required. They just redesigned the menu and didn't realize they needed provide the nutritional information. They're working on it."
Oh well, I'm a big girl, and I know what's healthy and what's not. I ordered the half rotisserie chicken (and it was a tiny, baby chicken) and a dry baked sweet potato (which was huge and delicious), no bread (they have the most amazing corn bread you've ever tasted). Good so far, right?
Then I messed up. I know my girlfriend loves a glass of wine with dinner. I also know if I don't order it she won't either. I entirely gave up wine several months ago. I decided it was just a waste of calories and usually gave me a headache.
Last night I was tired, stressed with a neck thing going on, and a glass of wine sounded good. So I ordered a glass of Cabernet. It was huge (as everything is in this place except for that chicken). Probably at least two servings.
I ate every bite of my dinner (which would probably have been enough food for three people). Then I ordered dessert. My girlfriend's favorite dessert, Lemon Bar Brulee. And no, we didn't share a piece and yes, it was wonderful. It's a lemon bar cheesecake thing with raspberry sauce and whip cream. I looked up the dessert this morning, 747 calories, 16 gr of fat, 105 gr carbs, 1 gr fiber.
Anyway, the end of the story is that I gained two pounds overnight. 180.2 this morning. I know some of it's probably the sodium. I know it was just one night. I know it's not that big of a deal. It's just that I have Weight Watchers tomorrow, which means I have to weigh in. Sort of depressing.
The movie was great though. No Strings Attached. Very funny, cute chick flick with Natalie Portman and Aston Kutcher (love him). I had a great visit with my girlfriend. It was very fun and yes, I would do it again, but skip the wine and dessert. Maybe. :)
Life happens, but I really need to get serious about losing weight and stop just talking about it. The Big Climb is less than two months away. Remember, 1,311 steps. Scary at 180 pounds!
Gym
Me and TB went to the gym today. I have been a member since the summer and apart from 1 time (shortly after the induction) I haven't been since.
I don't know why I haven't been cos I always kind of wanted to. Maybe because I had to go with DH & DS and I don't really want to go with them and have it like some family sweat time. DH is kind of competitive and even though he isn't competing with me, just trying to encourage me, it just gets on my tits when someone is like "how many reps did you do? WOW that's AMAZING!!! Well done". Saying that to me is like wrong. I know I shouldn't, but I feel patronised and belittled as if I just accomplished the impossible.
He would hate that I felt that way, but I just do. I don't really wanna be there with him all sweaty and getting down to it and me just loping along on the treadmill without my breathing even changing. I feel like its a competition, even though it's not, and it's a competition I can't win and the whole thing just gets messed up in my head.
Going with DS is OK, but again he gets on my nerves cos he is always either complaining or "look I can go10km per hour on one leg" or something, and it's not like I am competing with my own son, but it makes me feel small inside and stupid and fat and ugly.
So I have been trying to cajole TB into going, and she finally caved on Wednesday. I booked her induction for this morning and did my workout whilst she was shown the ropes with the instructor. I did 30 mins on the treadmill which was about 1 and a half km and 150 cals apparently. I then had a game of Fish on the rowing machine where you have to pull harder and to get your fish out of the way of the big sharks, but also vary the speed and pace to eat the 'good' fish to gain points. It takes 5 minutes and goes really fast because you are playing a game. Then I played darts, where the rowing machine is timed over 5 of your strokes to aim darts at a dart board. It helps you keep your posture and even rowing pace but gets a bit boring. Took 5 minutes to throw 100 darts and I still had 300 darts left so I though fuck it and stopped.
Then I had a go on that wobbly tooth tickling machine called PowerPlate and gave myself some massages on full power for a minute a pop. Then I sat on one of the leg press things and had a nice rest whilst TB finished off.
We then went to get a coffee in the club house and went back to hers for some lunch. She LOVED it. I loved going with her cos we are both wanting to lose weight and we work well as a team. It will inspire us both and I think I have kind of missed the regular get togethers we used to have for slimmingworld and the like.
So all in all a good day so far.
I don't know why I haven't been cos I always kind of wanted to. Maybe because I had to go with DH & DS and I don't really want to go with them and have it like some family sweat time. DH is kind of competitive and even though he isn't competing with me, just trying to encourage me, it just gets on my tits when someone is like "how many reps did you do? WOW that's AMAZING!!! Well done". Saying that to me is like wrong. I know I shouldn't, but I feel patronised and belittled as if I just accomplished the impossible.
He would hate that I felt that way, but I just do. I don't really wanna be there with him all sweaty and getting down to it and me just loping along on the treadmill without my breathing even changing. I feel like its a competition, even though it's not, and it's a competition I can't win and the whole thing just gets messed up in my head.
Going with DS is OK, but again he gets on my nerves cos he is always either complaining or "look I can go10km per hour on one leg" or something, and it's not like I am competing with my own son, but it makes me feel small inside and stupid and fat and ugly.
So I have been trying to cajole TB into going, and she finally caved on Wednesday. I booked her induction for this morning and did my workout whilst she was shown the ropes with the instructor. I did 30 mins on the treadmill which was about 1 and a half km and 150 cals apparently. I then had a game of Fish on the rowing machine where you have to pull harder and to get your fish out of the way of the big sharks, but also vary the speed and pace to eat the 'good' fish to gain points. It takes 5 minutes and goes really fast because you are playing a game. Then I played darts, where the rowing machine is timed over 5 of your strokes to aim darts at a dart board. It helps you keep your posture and even rowing pace but gets a bit boring. Took 5 minutes to throw 100 darts and I still had 300 darts left so I though fuck it and stopped.
Then I had a go on that wobbly tooth tickling machine called PowerPlate and gave myself some massages on full power for a minute a pop. Then I sat on one of the leg press things and had a nice rest whilst TB finished off.
We then went to get a coffee in the club house and went back to hers for some lunch. She LOVED it. I loved going with her cos we are both wanting to lose weight and we work well as a team. It will inspire us both and I think I have kind of missed the regular get togethers we used to have for slimmingworld and the like.
So all in all a good day so far.
Kamis, 27 Januari 2011
Roasted Red Pepper Dip
(makes ¾ cups)
Ingredients:
- 2 medium red sweet peppers
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp fresh basil or ¼ tsp crushed and dried basil
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 clove garlic, chopped
- ¼ tsp salt
- Dash of red pepper flakes
- ¼ tsp salt
Preparation:
- Roast the peppers:
- Cut peppers into quarters and remove stem, membranes, and seeds
- Line a baking sheet with foil. Place peppers down on foil, skin side up and press each segment to lie flat on sheet.
- Bake at 425 degrees F for about 20 minutes or until skin is blackened and blistered.
- Remove peppers from oven and place in a paper bag. Let cool for 10 minutes.
- Peel and discard skins.
- Cut peppers into quarters and remove stem, membranes, and seeds
- Place peppers in a food processor, cover and blend until elaborate.
- Add tomato paste, sugar, basil, salt, garlic and red pepper flakes. Blend until smooth.
- Tip: For a different colored dip, try yellow or orange sweet peppers.
Make 12 Servings:
Weight loss recipes Amount Per Serving (1 tbsp (122 g)): 36 Calories, 1 g Protein, 9 g carbohydrates, 2 g Dietary Fiber, 0 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 73 mg sodiumRoasted Red Pepper Dip
(makes ¾ cups)
Ingredients:
- 2 medium red sweet peppers
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp fresh basil or ¼ tsp crushed and dried basil
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 clove garlic, chopped
- ¼ tsp salt
- Dash of red pepper flakes
- ¼ tsp salt
Preparation:
- Roast the peppers:
- Cut peppers into quarters and remove stem, membranes, and seeds
- Line a baking sheet with foil. Place peppers down on foil, skin side up and press each segment to lie flat on sheet.
- Bake at 425 degrees F for about 20 minutes or until skin is blackened and blistered.
- Remove peppers from oven and place in a paper bag. Let cool for 10 minutes.
- Peel and discard skins.
- Cut peppers into quarters and remove stem, membranes, and seeds
- Place peppers in a food processor, cover and blend until elaborate.
- Add tomato paste, sugar, basil, salt, garlic and red pepper flakes. Blend until smooth.
- Tip: For a different colored dip, try yellow or orange sweet peppers.
Make 12 Servings:
Weight loss recipes Amount Per Serving (1 tbsp (122 g)): 36 Calories, 1 g Protein, 9 g carbohydrates, 2 g Dietary Fiber, 0 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 73 mg sodiumThe Diabetes Epidemic
The CDC just released its latest estimate of diabetes prevalence in the US (1):
These data are self-reported, and do not correct for differences in diagnosis methods, so they should be viewed with caution-- but they still serve to illustrate the trend. There was an increase in diabetes incidence that began in the early 1990s. More than 90 percent of cases are type 2 diabetics. Disturbingly, the trend does not show any signs of slowing.
The diabetes epidemic has followed on the heels of the obesity epidemic with 10-20 years of lag time. Excess body fat is the number one risk factor for diabetes*. As far as I can tell, type 2 diabetes is caused by insulin resistance, which is probably due to energy intake exceeding energy needs (overnutrition), causing a state of cellular insulin resistance as a defense mechanism to protect against the damaging effects of too much glucose and fatty acids (3). In addition, type 2 diabetes requires a predisposition that prevents the pancreatic beta cells from keeping up with the greatly increased insulin needs of an insulin resistant person**. Both factors are required, and not all insulin resistant people will develop diabetes as some people's beta cells are able to compensate by hypersecreting insulin.
Why does energy intake exceed energy needs in modern America and in most affluent countries? Why has the typical person's calorie intake increased by 250 calories per day since 1970 (4)? I believe it's because the fat mass "setpoint" has been increased, typically but not always by industrial food. I've been developing some new thoughts on this lately, and potentially new solutions, which I'll reveal when they're ready.
* In other words, it's the best predictor of future diabetes risk.
** Most of the common gene variants (of known function) linked with type 2 diabetes are thought to impact beta cell function (5).
Diabetes affects 8.3 percent of Americans of all ages, and 11.3 percent of adults aged 20 and older, according to the National Diabetes Fact Sheet for 2011. About 27 percent of those with diabetes—7 million Americans—do not know they have the disease. Prediabetes affects 35 percent of adults aged 20 and older.Wow-- this is a massive problem. The prevalence of diabetes has been increasing over time, due to more people developing the disorder, improvements in diabetes care leading to longer survival time, and changes in the way diabetes is diagnosed. Here's a graph I put together based on CDC data, showing the trend of diabetes prevalence (percent) from 1980 to 2008 in different age categories (2):
These data are self-reported, and do not correct for differences in diagnosis methods, so they should be viewed with caution-- but they still serve to illustrate the trend. There was an increase in diabetes incidence that began in the early 1990s. More than 90 percent of cases are type 2 diabetics. Disturbingly, the trend does not show any signs of slowing.
The diabetes epidemic has followed on the heels of the obesity epidemic with 10-20 years of lag time. Excess body fat is the number one risk factor for diabetes*. As far as I can tell, type 2 diabetes is caused by insulin resistance, which is probably due to energy intake exceeding energy needs (overnutrition), causing a state of cellular insulin resistance as a defense mechanism to protect against the damaging effects of too much glucose and fatty acids (3). In addition, type 2 diabetes requires a predisposition that prevents the pancreatic beta cells from keeping up with the greatly increased insulin needs of an insulin resistant person**. Both factors are required, and not all insulin resistant people will develop diabetes as some people's beta cells are able to compensate by hypersecreting insulin.
Why does energy intake exceed energy needs in modern America and in most affluent countries? Why has the typical person's calorie intake increased by 250 calories per day since 1970 (4)? I believe it's because the fat mass "setpoint" has been increased, typically but not always by industrial food. I've been developing some new thoughts on this lately, and potentially new solutions, which I'll reveal when they're ready.
* In other words, it's the best predictor of future diabetes risk.
** Most of the common gene variants (of known function) linked with type 2 diabetes are thought to impact beta cell function (5).
The Diabetes Epidemic
The CDC just released its latest estimate of diabetes prevalence in the US (1):
These data are self-reported, and do not correct for differences in diagnosis methods, so they should be viewed with caution-- but they still serve to illustrate the trend. There was an increase in diabetes incidence that began in the early 1990s. More than 90 percent of cases are type 2 diabetics. Disturbingly, the trend does not show any signs of slowing.
The diabetes epidemic has followed on the heels of the obesity epidemic with 10-20 years of lag time. Excess body fat is the number one risk factor for diabetes*. As far as I can tell, type 2 diabetes is caused by insulin resistance, which is probably due to energy intake exceeding energy needs (overnutrition), causing a state of cellular insulin resistance as a defense mechanism to protect against the damaging effects of too much glucose and fatty acids (3). In addition, type 2 diabetes requires a predisposition that prevents the pancreatic beta cells from keeping up with the greatly increased insulin needs of an insulin resistant person**. Both factors are required, and not all insulin resistant people will develop diabetes as some people's beta cells are able to compensate by hypersecreting insulin.
Why does energy intake exceed energy needs in modern America and in most affluent countries? Why has the typical person's calorie intake increased by 250 calories per day since 1970 (4)? I believe it's because the fat mass "setpoint" has been increased, typically but not always by industrial food. I've been developing some new thoughts on this lately, and potentially new solutions, which I'll reveal when they're ready.
* In other words, it's the best predictor of future diabetes risk.
** Most of the common gene variants (of known function) linked with type 2 diabetes are thought to impact beta cell function (5).
Diabetes affects 8.3 percent of Americans of all ages, and 11.3 percent of adults aged 20 and older, according to the National Diabetes Fact Sheet for 2011. About 27 percent of those with diabetes—7 million Americans—do not know they have the disease. Prediabetes affects 35 percent of adults aged 20 and older.Wow-- this is a massive problem. The prevalence of diabetes has been increasing over time, due to more people developing the disorder, improvements in diabetes care leading to longer survival time, and changes in the way diabetes is diagnosed. Here's a graph I put together based on CDC data, showing the trend of diabetes prevalence (percent) from 1980 to 2008 in different age categories (2):
These data are self-reported, and do not correct for differences in diagnosis methods, so they should be viewed with caution-- but they still serve to illustrate the trend. There was an increase in diabetes incidence that began in the early 1990s. More than 90 percent of cases are type 2 diabetics. Disturbingly, the trend does not show any signs of slowing.
The diabetes epidemic has followed on the heels of the obesity epidemic with 10-20 years of lag time. Excess body fat is the number one risk factor for diabetes*. As far as I can tell, type 2 diabetes is caused by insulin resistance, which is probably due to energy intake exceeding energy needs (overnutrition), causing a state of cellular insulin resistance as a defense mechanism to protect against the damaging effects of too much glucose and fatty acids (3). In addition, type 2 diabetes requires a predisposition that prevents the pancreatic beta cells from keeping up with the greatly increased insulin needs of an insulin resistant person**. Both factors are required, and not all insulin resistant people will develop diabetes as some people's beta cells are able to compensate by hypersecreting insulin.
Why does energy intake exceed energy needs in modern America and in most affluent countries? Why has the typical person's calorie intake increased by 250 calories per day since 1970 (4)? I believe it's because the fat mass "setpoint" has been increased, typically but not always by industrial food. I've been developing some new thoughts on this lately, and potentially new solutions, which I'll reveal when they're ready.
* In other words, it's the best predictor of future diabetes risk.
** Most of the common gene variants (of known function) linked with type 2 diabetes are thought to impact beta cell function (5).
Two Wheat Challenge Ideas from Commenters
Some people have remarked that the blinded challenge method I posted is cumbersome.
Reader "Me" suggested:
Reader "Me" suggested:
You can buy wheat gluten in a grocery store. Why not simply have your friend add some wheat gluten to your normal protein shake.Reader David suggested:
They sell empty gelatin capsules with carob content to opacify them. Why not fill a few capsules with whole wheat flour, and then a whole bunch with rice starch or other placebo. For two weeks take a set of, say, three capsules every day, with the set of wheat capsules in line to be taken on a random day selected by your friend. This would further reduce the chances that you would see through the blind, and it prevent the risk of not being able to choke the "smoothie" down. It would also keep it to wheat and nothing but wheat (except for the placebo starch).The reason I chose the method in the last post is that it directly tests wheat in a form that a person would be likely to eat: bread. The limitation of the gluten shake method is that it would miss a sensitivity to components in wheat other than gluten. The limitation of the pill method is that raw flour is difficult to digest, so it would be difficult to extrapolate a sensitivity to cooked flour foods. You might be able to get around that by filling the pills with powdered bread crumbs. Those are two alternative ideas to consider if the one I posted seems too involved.
Two Wheat Challenge Ideas from Commenters
Some people have remarked that the blinded challenge method I posted is cumbersome.
Reader "Me" suggested:
Reader "Me" suggested:
You can buy wheat gluten in a grocery store. Why not simply have your friend add some wheat gluten to your normal protein shake.Reader David suggested:
They sell empty gelatin capsules with carob content to opacify them. Why not fill a few capsules with whole wheat flour, and then a whole bunch with rice starch or other placebo. For two weeks take a set of, say, three capsules every day, with the set of wheat capsules in line to be taken on a random day selected by your friend. This would further reduce the chances that you would see through the blind, and it prevent the risk of not being able to choke the "smoothie" down. It would also keep it to wheat and nothing but wheat (except for the placebo starch).The reason I chose the method in the last post is that it directly tests wheat in a form that a person would be likely to eat: bread. The limitation of the gluten shake method is that it would miss a sensitivity to components in wheat other than gluten. The limitation of the pill method is that raw flour is difficult to digest, so it would be difficult to extrapolate a sensitivity to cooked flour foods. You might be able to get around that by filling the pills with powdered bread crumbs. Those are two alternative ideas to consider if the one I posted seems too involved.
Ermmm... just stuff
Lost a little bit more. Very peculiar. Weighed in yesterday at 119kgs, so that's pretty good.
Found that this week it's not been that hard to cook every day and leave all the shite out of my diet. If I am basically happy and not too tired I can manage to cook every day, get inspiration to cook and also, most importantly, not snack/end up puking.
Relaxing when I eat has had a big job to play into being ABLE to eat and essentially my emotional well being.
Contrary to practically every other bandster on earth, I seem to do better when I have my dinner on a plate, late at night, in front of the telly, take 3 hours to eat it and drink whilst doing it.
Yep. this is TOTALLY the 'wrong' way to do it apparently but its been brilliant. I think I have found that this is actually the right way for me.
Every day this week I have had soup for late breakfast and lunch then in the evening made dinner with the family. I give myself a plate of dinner too and sit down with them with it in front of me. I have eaten about 3 mouthfuls by the time they have all finished, so I just shove it in the microwave and then wash up, tidy up, get DS to bed, get a big pot of green tea on the brew and prepare myself.
I put a dining chair next to the sofa, put the pot of green tea on it, a cup and my dinner. Then I switch to my favorite programme with DH and we sit and veg. I slowly enjoy my meal, enjoy my tea, and then its time for bed.
This is absolutely freaking PERFECT for me.
It totally cures the "nibble at nightime" thing I used to have going on.
It totally cures the "I can't eat/ *retch*" situation if I try and eat with the family
It totally cures the "they have nice things to eat and I am deprived" emotional turmoil in my head
It makes me relax, take things slow, wind down, spend quality time with DH(ok that can be debated as it is just TV) and also end the day contented and satiated with a minimal amount of calories.
When I was trying to eat my protein first, trying to eat three meals a day etc... it just didn't work and I would puke and then feel shit and then eat a slider/chocolate that made me feel happy, full but also fatter.
I have never felt that sweet spot in all the 4 years I have had the band, but I think I've wasted a lot of time looking and to be honest I know I have good restriction. I don't feel hungry. Period. If I ate a bite of bread straight off I would vomit. If I eat too quick/don't chew things to death, I have to either:
1.) Stop and wait
2.) continue above + real deep slow breathing for a minute or two (give a slight buzz!! LOL)
or 3.) Puke
I have been scared as a rabbit in the headlights about breaking my band. After it buggered the first time, I have been paranoia central worried about slips and breakage and port rupture etc. I have been so prissy with this thing but using it wrong all at the same time.
If anything it's only this last few weeks since we came back from holiday that I have felt normal. I kind of feel it's OK to be banded. It feels settled, not jerky or sore and I am not scared to eat like I was before in case something got stuck etc. Maybe the easy approach where I just get the fuck on with it is actually the best approach for me.
We shall see.
When we came back from holiday I wanted to get a new bracelet. I had one that my dad found in the street. It was pearls and silver plated beads on elastic and it was really nice. The elastic was getting frayed after a few weeks so I asked for it to be put on wire. It came back from our jeweller on nylon with "this is just as strong" on the bag.
So I wore it, but I really wanted it on silver wire just because it would look better. Anyway after about 3 weeks the bracelet pinged off my arm and showered the car in beads! The little round silver plated beads were very very sharp at the centre as they were made from thin copper and had basically cut through the nylon!
So I gathered up as many as I could and sent them back with a note saying "Obviously not! Put it on WIRE!" on the bag. 6 Weeks later I got it back on some metal wire, which made the whole thing smell like iron or hot pennies and the pattern was wack and some of the beads were even back to front. I think our dog would have made a better pattern match to be honest!
Anyway, although it wasn't the same, I wore it and it was OK I guess, but the ring like clasp they had put on it originally just kept catching on my clothes and whilst we were on holiday it pulled again and the ring clasp pulled all out of shape like a bent paper clip.
I was so disappointed. I had worn it for about 8 weeks out of the 6 months I had had it because of the time it had taken to get it mended (i.e.being for me and not a 'real' customer) so I just took it off and threw it in the wash bag. I said to DH that when we got back I would make a new one from his Pandora style bead supplier Chrysalis.
So I found all my beads and spacers that I wanted:
And they all of together to make this:
The double chin was of course optional!!
I know it's not a typical Pandora style design that I have chosen but its very close to the original bracelet that my dad found only solid silver and larger. I love all those colourful pretty beads but they just don't look right on me. I nearly had one when we first got the Chrysalis in stock, but it just looked wrong. I also don't like the fact that when you have a few beads on they fall to the bottom of your wrist so you can't really see it. I like them all completely filled up with beads so I can enjoy it too not just the table top!
So I am absolutely thrilled with it. They must have thought we were mental when I said I wanted 9 pearl beads, 7 barrel spacers, 16 Swarovsky Chrystal spacers and a just 1 locket charm!
It's so great having our own shop cos there is NO WAY on this earth I would spend £450 on this bracelet. It cost me £125 trade which I did feel a bit sick at but then it is solid silver and pearl. it will last forever unlike the one my dad found on the street by the playing fields at the back of his house.
The old one was so lovely too, but no one claimed it. It wouldn't have cost that much but it was really nice. they took it to the police and put a card in the shop window but no one claimed it after 3 months so it was theirs. I loved it to bits, literally!! I will keep hold of it as I cant bear to just chuck it, and maybe one day if DS has a little girl she can have it to play dress up with me!
Found that this week it's not been that hard to cook every day and leave all the shite out of my diet. If I am basically happy and not too tired I can manage to cook every day, get inspiration to cook and also, most importantly, not snack/end up puking.
Relaxing when I eat has had a big job to play into being ABLE to eat and essentially my emotional well being.
Contrary to practically every other bandster on earth, I seem to do better when I have my dinner on a plate, late at night, in front of the telly, take 3 hours to eat it and drink whilst doing it.
Yep. this is TOTALLY the 'wrong' way to do it apparently but its been brilliant. I think I have found that this is actually the right way for me.
Every day this week I have had soup for late breakfast and lunch then in the evening made dinner with the family. I give myself a plate of dinner too and sit down with them with it in front of me. I have eaten about 3 mouthfuls by the time they have all finished, so I just shove it in the microwave and then wash up, tidy up, get DS to bed, get a big pot of green tea on the brew and prepare myself.
I put a dining chair next to the sofa, put the pot of green tea on it, a cup and my dinner. Then I switch to my favorite programme with DH and we sit and veg. I slowly enjoy my meal, enjoy my tea, and then its time for bed.
This is absolutely freaking PERFECT for me.
It totally cures the "nibble at nightime" thing I used to have going on.
It totally cures the "I can't eat/ *retch*" situation if I try and eat with the family
It totally cures the "they have nice things to eat and I am deprived" emotional turmoil in my head
It makes me relax, take things slow, wind down, spend quality time with DH(ok that can be debated as it is just TV) and also end the day contented and satiated with a minimal amount of calories.
When I was trying to eat my protein first, trying to eat three meals a day etc... it just didn't work and I would puke and then feel shit and then eat a slider/chocolate that made me feel happy, full but also fatter.
I have never felt that sweet spot in all the 4 years I have had the band, but I think I've wasted a lot of time looking and to be honest I know I have good restriction. I don't feel hungry. Period. If I ate a bite of bread straight off I would vomit. If I eat too quick/don't chew things to death, I have to either:
1.) Stop and wait
2.) continue above + real deep slow breathing for a minute or two (give a slight buzz!! LOL)
or 3.) Puke
I have been scared as a rabbit in the headlights about breaking my band. After it buggered the first time, I have been paranoia central worried about slips and breakage and port rupture etc. I have been so prissy with this thing but using it wrong all at the same time.
If anything it's only this last few weeks since we came back from holiday that I have felt normal. I kind of feel it's OK to be banded. It feels settled, not jerky or sore and I am not scared to eat like I was before in case something got stuck etc. Maybe the easy approach where I just get the fuck on with it is actually the best approach for me.
We shall see.
When we came back from holiday I wanted to get a new bracelet. I had one that my dad found in the street. It was pearls and silver plated beads on elastic and it was really nice. The elastic was getting frayed after a few weeks so I asked for it to be put on wire. It came back from our jeweller on nylon with "this is just as strong" on the bag.
So I wore it, but I really wanted it on silver wire just because it would look better. Anyway after about 3 weeks the bracelet pinged off my arm and showered the car in beads! The little round silver plated beads were very very sharp at the centre as they were made from thin copper and had basically cut through the nylon!
So I gathered up as many as I could and sent them back with a note saying "Obviously not! Put it on WIRE!" on the bag. 6 Weeks later I got it back on some metal wire, which made the whole thing smell like iron or hot pennies and the pattern was wack and some of the beads were even back to front. I think our dog would have made a better pattern match to be honest!
Anyway, although it wasn't the same, I wore it and it was OK I guess, but the ring like clasp they had put on it originally just kept catching on my clothes and whilst we were on holiday it pulled again and the ring clasp pulled all out of shape like a bent paper clip.
I was so disappointed. I had worn it for about 8 weeks out of the 6 months I had had it because of the time it had taken to get it mended (i.e.being for me and not a 'real' customer) so I just took it off and threw it in the wash bag. I said to DH that when we got back I would make a new one from his Pandora style bead supplier Chrysalis.
So I found all my beads and spacers that I wanted:
And they all of together to make this:
The double chin was of course optional!!
I know it's not a typical Pandora style design that I have chosen but its very close to the original bracelet that my dad found only solid silver and larger. I love all those colourful pretty beads but they just don't look right on me. I nearly had one when we first got the Chrysalis in stock, but it just looked wrong. I also don't like the fact that when you have a few beads on they fall to the bottom of your wrist so you can't really see it. I like them all completely filled up with beads so I can enjoy it too not just the table top!
So I am absolutely thrilled with it. They must have thought we were mental when I said I wanted 9 pearl beads, 7 barrel spacers, 16 Swarovsky Chrystal spacers and a just 1 locket charm!
It's so great having our own shop cos there is NO WAY on this earth I would spend £450 on this bracelet. It cost me £125 trade which I did feel a bit sick at but then it is solid silver and pearl. it will last forever unlike the one my dad found on the street by the playing fields at the back of his house.
The old one was so lovely too, but no one claimed it. It wouldn't have cost that much but it was really nice. they took it to the police and put a card in the shop window but no one claimed it after 3 months so it was theirs. I loved it to bits, literally!! I will keep hold of it as I cant bear to just chuck it, and maybe one day if DS has a little girl she can have it to play dress up with me!
Rabu, 26 Januari 2011
Veggie Guacamole
(makes 3½ cups)
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe avocados, peeled and pitted
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 large tomato, seeded and diced
- 1 cup canned black beans, drained
- ½ tsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp green onion, chopped
- 1 cup cooked corn (canned, fresh, or frozen)
- 1 tsp jalapeño peppers, chopped (optional)
Preparation:
- Mash avocados in a bowl. Add lemon juice and salt, then mix in the remaining ingredients.
Make 14 Servings:
Weight loss recipes Amount Per Serving (1/4 cup (70 g)): 77 Calories, 2 g Protein, 8 g carbohydrates, 3 g Dietary Fiber, 5 g fat, 1 g saturated fat, 8 mg cholesterol, 34 mg sodiumVeggie Guacamole
(makes 3½ cups)
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe avocados, peeled and pitted
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 large tomato, seeded and diced
- 1 cup canned black beans, drained
- ½ tsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp green onion, chopped
- 1 cup cooked corn (canned, fresh, or frozen)
- 1 tsp jalapeño peppers, chopped (optional)
Preparation:
- Mash avocados in a bowl. Add lemon juice and salt, then mix in the remaining ingredients.
Make 14 Servings:
Weight loss recipes Amount Per Serving (1/4 cup (70 g)): 77 Calories, 2 g Protein, 8 g carbohydrates, 3 g Dietary Fiber, 5 g fat, 1 g saturated fat, 8 mg cholesterol, 34 mg sodium26/365 - Easy Lunch Idea
Sometimes I get so intensely focused on what I'm doing I forget to eat. No, it doesn't happen often, but occasionally, it does. For instance, yesterday was the last day of my kids' semester. My middle school aged son had a few things due that weren't done and we were cramming to finish. It was two o'clock and I noticed my stomach felt off.
I searched the refrigerator, no left overs were found. The cupboards didn't have anything either. (At this point in my search, I realized I needed to go shopping) So I went to the pantry. You can always find something in the pantry. I saw a can of soup and grabbed it.
This soup is my go to lunch when I don't have much time but need to be filled. It's certainly not a pretty soup, it's actually quite ugly. But shredded cheese and a dollop of sour cream can change that.
Here is a link to a tasty line of soups: http://www.amys.com/
Selasa, 25 Januari 2011
555
Tonight I watched the new A&E show, Heavy. Most of the reviews I've read by other bloggers weren't very positive, but I liked it. I wouldn't call it entertainment because it was difficult to watch. It wasn't really educational either because I already know how to lose weight. Yet I was compelled to watch it.
There was a woman that weighed 278 pounds and a man that weighed 555 pounds. I identified with the man because of his weight. I'm positive I have the propensity to weigh 555 pounds. My husband, friends and relatives all tell me I'm crazy to say I could weigh over 500 pounds. They really don't know me. They can't grasp how I view food. They don't understand the ongoing battle in my head about eating.
This is a conversation I had last night with my husband, Jack.
Me: Do you ever eat just because you're bored or lonely or sad, but not really hungry?
Jack: No. I eat when I'm hungry. Why would I eat if I wasn't hungry?
Me: To make yourself feel better?
Jack: How would eating food when I'm not hungry make me feel better?
Me: I don't know. I was just wondering if you've ever done that before.
Jack: No. Never.
No one really knows me when it comes to food. Not even the man I've been married to for almost 23 years. Most people in my life don't understand that I often eat when I'm not hungry. It just doesn't make sense to the normal person. I use it as a way to deal with stress and unpleasantness in my life. If I actually ate when I wanted, I would most likely be eating non-stop. It's a scary thought that I could very easily lose control with food.
I just have to take this a day at a time and continue the fight. 555 is a scary number and it's one I hope I never see.
There was a woman that weighed 278 pounds and a man that weighed 555 pounds. I identified with the man because of his weight. I'm positive I have the propensity to weigh 555 pounds. My husband, friends and relatives all tell me I'm crazy to say I could weigh over 500 pounds. They really don't know me. They can't grasp how I view food. They don't understand the ongoing battle in my head about eating.
This is a conversation I had last night with my husband, Jack.
Me: Do you ever eat just because you're bored or lonely or sad, but not really hungry?
Jack: No. I eat when I'm hungry. Why would I eat if I wasn't hungry?
Me: To make yourself feel better?
Jack: How would eating food when I'm not hungry make me feel better?
Me: I don't know. I was just wondering if you've ever done that before.
Jack: No. Never.
No one really knows me when it comes to food. Not even the man I've been married to for almost 23 years. Most people in my life don't understand that I often eat when I'm not hungry. It just doesn't make sense to the normal person. I use it as a way to deal with stress and unpleasantness in my life. If I actually ate when I wanted, I would most likely be eating non-stop. It's a scary thought that I could very easily lose control with food.
I just have to take this a day at a time and continue the fight. 555 is a scary number and it's one I hope I never see.
Tortilla Pinwheels
(makes 4 servings)
Ingredients:
- 4 whole wheat tortillas, 8” size
- ¼ cup light cream cheese or Neufchatel
- 12 slices turkey ham, sliced, fat-free
- 1 cup spinach, torn, fresh
- ½ cup grated carrots
Preparation:
- Let the cream cheese come to room temperature. Whip with a mixer, or by hand, to make it easier to spread.
- Spread about 1 tbsp cream cheese onto the tortilla, making sure to reach the edges.
- Place 3 slices of turkey ham onto tortilla.
- Put several spinach in the center of the tortilla and sprinkle with 2 tbsp of carrots.
- Roll tortilla tightly; secure with a toothpick.
- Cut the tortilla into pinwheels by cutting it in half first, then making bite-sized slices along the tortilla until you reach the end. Lay each piece cut-side down on a serving plate. Serve at once, or refrigerate, covered, until ready to serve.
Tip:
- Choose colorful vegetables such as avocado red, cucumber, or red peppers, in your pinwheel.
- Make a fruit pinwheel using peanut butter or jam as the spread, then top with thin banana slices and other soft fruit like strawberries, peaches, plums, nectarines or plums.
Make 12 Servings:
Weight loss recipes Amount Per Serving (1 pinwheel (174 g)): 285 Calories, 21 g Protein, 32 g carbohydrates, 3 g Dietary Fiber, 7 g fat, 3 g saturated fat, 34 mg cholesterol, 1223 mg sodiumTortilla Pinwheels
(makes 4 servings)
Ingredients:
- 4 whole wheat tortillas, 8” size
- ¼ cup light cream cheese or Neufchatel
- 12 slices turkey ham, sliced, fat-free
- 1 cup spinach, torn, fresh
- ½ cup grated carrots
Preparation:
- Let the cream cheese come to room temperature. Whip with a mixer, or by hand, to make it easier to spread.
- Spread about 1 tbsp cream cheese onto the tortilla, making sure to reach the edges.
- Place 3 slices of turkey ham onto tortilla.
- Put several spinach in the center of the tortilla and sprinkle with 2 tbsp of carrots.
- Roll tortilla tightly; secure with a toothpick.
- Cut the tortilla into pinwheels by cutting it in half first, then making bite-sized slices along the tortilla until you reach the end. Lay each piece cut-side down on a serving plate. Serve at once, or refrigerate, covered, until ready to serve.
Tip:
- Choose colorful vegetables such as avocado red, cucumber, or red peppers, in your pinwheel.
- Make a fruit pinwheel using peanut butter or jam as the spread, then top with thin banana slices and other soft fruit like strawberries, peaches, plums, nectarines or plums.
Make 12 Servings:
Weight loss recipes Amount Per Serving (1 pinwheel (174 g)): 285 Calories, 21 g Protein, 32 g carbohydrates, 3 g Dietary Fiber, 7 g fat, 3 g saturated fat, 34 mg cholesterol, 1223 mg sodiumSenin, 24 Januari 2011
Apple Sweet-Zza
(makes 4 servings)
Ingredients:
- ⅓ cup applesauce
- ⅔ cup low-fat ricotta cheese
- 4 English muffins, split (8 halves)
- Pizza toppings, choose 3:
- Apples, sliced
- Pineapple chunks
- Plums, nectarine or peaches slices
- Berries, fresh or frozen
- Banana slices
- Tangerine sections
- Apples, sliced
Preparation:
- Stir applesauce with the ricotta cheese together.
- Spread about 2 tbsp sauce on each muffin half.
- Arrange your favorite toppings on the 'crust' in a single layer. Use at least 3 colors.
- Place pizzas on a baking sheet and bake at 400ºF for 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted
Make 4 Servings:
Weight loss recipes Amount Per Serving (1 muffin (170 g)): 231 Calories, 10 g Protein, 39 g carbohydrates, 1 g Dietary Fiber, 4 g fat, 3 g saturated fat, 13 mg cholesterol, 262 mg sodiumApple Sweet-Zza
(makes 4 servings)
Ingredients:
- ⅓ cup applesauce
- ⅔ cup low-fat ricotta cheese
- 4 English muffins, split (8 halves)
- Pizza toppings, choose 3:
- Apples, sliced
- Pineapple chunks
- Plums, nectarine or peaches slices
- Berries, fresh or frozen
- Banana slices
- Tangerine sections
- Apples, sliced
Preparation:
- Stir applesauce with the ricotta cheese together.
- Spread about 2 tbsp sauce on each muffin half.
- Arrange your favorite toppings on the 'crust' in a single layer. Use at least 3 colors.
- Place pizzas on a baking sheet and bake at 400ºF for 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted
Make 4 Servings:
Weight loss recipes Amount Per Serving (1 muffin (170 g)): 231 Calories, 10 g Protein, 39 g carbohydrates, 1 g Dietary Fiber, 4 g fat, 3 g saturated fat, 13 mg cholesterol, 262 mg sodiumBlinded Wheat Challenge
Self-experimentation can be an effective way to improve one's health*. One of the problems with diet self-experimentation is that it's difficult to know which changes are the direct result of eating a food, and which are the result of preconceived ideas about a food. For example, are you more likely to notice the fact that you're grumpy after drinking milk if you think milk makes people grumpy? Maybe you're grumpy every other day regardless of diet? Placebo effects and conscious/unconscious bias can lead us to erroneous conclusions.
The beauty of the scientific method is that it offers us effective tools to minimize this kind of bias. This is probably its main advantage over more subjective forms of inquiry**. One of the most effective tools in the scientific method's toolbox is a control. This is a measurement that's used to establish a baseline for comparison with the intervention, which is what you're interested in. Without a control measurement, the intervention measurement is typically meaningless. For example, if we give 100 people pills that cure belly button lint, we have to give a different group placebo (sugar) pills. Only the comparison between drug and placebo groups can tell us if the drug worked, because maybe the changing seasons, regular doctor's visits, or having your belly button examined once a week affects the likelihood of lint.
Another tool is called blinding. This is where the patient, and often the doctor and investigators, don't know which pills are placebo and which are drug. This minimizes bias on the part of the patient, and sometimes the doctor and investigators. If the patient knew he were receiving drug rather than placebo, that could influence the outcome. Likewise, investigators who aren't blinded while they're collecting data can unconsciously (or consciously) influence it.
Back to diet. I want to know if I react to wheat. I've been gluten-free for about a month. But if I eat a slice of bread, how can I be sure I'm not experiencing symptoms because I think I should? How about blinding and a non-gluten control?
Procedure for a Blinded Wheat Challenge
1. Find a friend who can help you.
2. Buy a loaf of wheat bread and a loaf of gluten-free bread.
3. Have your friend choose one of the loaves without telling you which he/she chose.
4. Have your friend take 1-3 slices, blend them with water in a blender until smooth. This is to eliminate differences in consistency that could allow you to determine what you're eating. Don't watch your friend do this-- you might recognize the loaf.
5. Pinch your nose and drink the "bread smoothie" (yum!). This is so that you can't identify the bread by taste. Rinse your mouth with water before releasing your nose. Record how you feel in the next few hours and days.
6. Wait a week. This is called a "washout period". Repeat the experiment with the second loaf, attempting to keep everything else about the experiment as similar as possible.
7. Compare how you felt each time. Have your friend "unblind" you by telling you which bread you ate on each day. If you experienced symptoms during the wheat challenge but not the control challenge, you may be sensitive to wheat.
If you want to take this to the next level of scientific rigor, repeat the procedure several times to see if the result is consistent. The larger the effect, the fewer times you need to repeat it to be confident in the result.
* Although it can also be disastrous. People who get into the most trouble are "extreme thinkers" who have a tendency to take an idea too far, e.g., avoid all animal foods, avoid all carbohydrate, avoid all fat, run two marathons a week, etc.
** More subjective forms of inquiry have their own advantages.
The beauty of the scientific method is that it offers us effective tools to minimize this kind of bias. This is probably its main advantage over more subjective forms of inquiry**. One of the most effective tools in the scientific method's toolbox is a control. This is a measurement that's used to establish a baseline for comparison with the intervention, which is what you're interested in. Without a control measurement, the intervention measurement is typically meaningless. For example, if we give 100 people pills that cure belly button lint, we have to give a different group placebo (sugar) pills. Only the comparison between drug and placebo groups can tell us if the drug worked, because maybe the changing seasons, regular doctor's visits, or having your belly button examined once a week affects the likelihood of lint.
Another tool is called blinding. This is where the patient, and often the doctor and investigators, don't know which pills are placebo and which are drug. This minimizes bias on the part of the patient, and sometimes the doctor and investigators. If the patient knew he were receiving drug rather than placebo, that could influence the outcome. Likewise, investigators who aren't blinded while they're collecting data can unconsciously (or consciously) influence it.
Back to diet. I want to know if I react to wheat. I've been gluten-free for about a month. But if I eat a slice of bread, how can I be sure I'm not experiencing symptoms because I think I should? How about blinding and a non-gluten control?
Procedure for a Blinded Wheat Challenge
1. Find a friend who can help you.
2. Buy a loaf of wheat bread and a loaf of gluten-free bread.
3. Have your friend choose one of the loaves without telling you which he/she chose.
4. Have your friend take 1-3 slices, blend them with water in a blender until smooth. This is to eliminate differences in consistency that could allow you to determine what you're eating. Don't watch your friend do this-- you might recognize the loaf.
5. Pinch your nose and drink the "bread smoothie" (yum!). This is so that you can't identify the bread by taste. Rinse your mouth with water before releasing your nose. Record how you feel in the next few hours and days.
6. Wait a week. This is called a "washout period". Repeat the experiment with the second loaf, attempting to keep everything else about the experiment as similar as possible.
7. Compare how you felt each time. Have your friend "unblind" you by telling you which bread you ate on each day. If you experienced symptoms during the wheat challenge but not the control challenge, you may be sensitive to wheat.
If you want to take this to the next level of scientific rigor, repeat the procedure several times to see if the result is consistent. The larger the effect, the fewer times you need to repeat it to be confident in the result.
* Although it can also be disastrous. People who get into the most trouble are "extreme thinkers" who have a tendency to take an idea too far, e.g., avoid all animal foods, avoid all carbohydrate, avoid all fat, run two marathons a week, etc.
** More subjective forms of inquiry have their own advantages.
Blinded Wheat Challenge
Self-experimentation can be an effective way to improve one's health*. One of the problems with diet self-experimentation is that it's difficult to know which changes are the direct result of eating a food, and which are the result of preconceived ideas about a food. For example, are you more likely to notice the fact that you're grumpy after drinking milk if you think milk makes people grumpy? Maybe you're grumpy every other day regardless of diet? Placebo effects and conscious/unconscious bias can lead us to erroneous conclusions.
The beauty of the scientific method is that it offers us effective tools to minimize this kind of bias. This is probably its main advantage over more subjective forms of inquiry**. One of the most effective tools in the scientific method's toolbox is a control. This is a measurement that's used to establish a baseline for comparison with the intervention, which is what you're interested in. Without a control measurement, the intervention measurement is typically meaningless. For example, if we give 100 people pills that cure belly button lint, we have to give a different group placebo (sugar) pills. Only the comparison between drug and placebo groups can tell us if the drug worked, because maybe the changing seasons, regular doctor's visits, or having your belly button examined once a week affects the likelihood of lint.
Another tool is called blinding. This is where the patient, and often the doctor and investigators, don't know which pills are placebo and which are drug. This minimizes bias on the part of the patient, and sometimes the doctor and investigators. If the patient knew he were receiving drug rather than placebo, that could influence the outcome. Likewise, investigators who aren't blinded while they're collecting data can unconsciously (or consciously) influence it.
Back to diet. I want to know if I react to wheat. I've been gluten-free for about a month. But if I eat a slice of bread, how can I be sure I'm not experiencing symptoms because I think I should? How about blinding and a non-gluten control?
Procedure for a Blinded Wheat Challenge
1. Find a friend who can help you.
2. Buy a loaf of wheat bread and a loaf of gluten-free bread.
3. Have your friend choose one of the loaves without telling you which he/she chose.
4. Have your friend take 1-3 slices, blend them with water in a blender until smooth. This is to eliminate differences in consistency that could allow you to determine what you're eating. Don't watch your friend do this-- you might recognize the loaf.
5. Pinch your nose and drink the "bread smoothie" (yum!). This is so that you can't identify the bread by taste. Rinse your mouth with water before releasing your nose. Record how you feel in the next few hours and days.
6. Wait a week. This is called a "washout period". Repeat the experiment with the second loaf, attempting to keep everything else about the experiment as similar as possible.
7. Compare how you felt each time. Have your friend "unblind" you by telling you which bread you ate on each day. If you experienced symptoms during the wheat challenge but not the control challenge, you may be sensitive to wheat.
If you want to take this to the next level of scientific rigor, repeat the procedure several times to see if the result is consistent. The larger the effect, the fewer times you need to repeat it to be confident in the result.
* Although it can also be disastrous. People who get into the most trouble are "extreme thinkers" who have a tendency to take an idea too far, e.g., avoid all animal foods, avoid all carbohydrate, avoid all fat, run two marathons a week, etc.
** More subjective forms of inquiry have their own advantages.
The beauty of the scientific method is that it offers us effective tools to minimize this kind of bias. This is probably its main advantage over more subjective forms of inquiry**. One of the most effective tools in the scientific method's toolbox is a control. This is a measurement that's used to establish a baseline for comparison with the intervention, which is what you're interested in. Without a control measurement, the intervention measurement is typically meaningless. For example, if we give 100 people pills that cure belly button lint, we have to give a different group placebo (sugar) pills. Only the comparison between drug and placebo groups can tell us if the drug worked, because maybe the changing seasons, regular doctor's visits, or having your belly button examined once a week affects the likelihood of lint.
Another tool is called blinding. This is where the patient, and often the doctor and investigators, don't know which pills are placebo and which are drug. This minimizes bias on the part of the patient, and sometimes the doctor and investigators. If the patient knew he were receiving drug rather than placebo, that could influence the outcome. Likewise, investigators who aren't blinded while they're collecting data can unconsciously (or consciously) influence it.
Back to diet. I want to know if I react to wheat. I've been gluten-free for about a month. But if I eat a slice of bread, how can I be sure I'm not experiencing symptoms because I think I should? How about blinding and a non-gluten control?
Procedure for a Blinded Wheat Challenge
1. Find a friend who can help you.
2. Buy a loaf of wheat bread and a loaf of gluten-free bread.
3. Have your friend choose one of the loaves without telling you which he/she chose.
4. Have your friend take 1-3 slices, blend them with water in a blender until smooth. This is to eliminate differences in consistency that could allow you to determine what you're eating. Don't watch your friend do this-- you might recognize the loaf.
5. Pinch your nose and drink the "bread smoothie" (yum!). This is so that you can't identify the bread by taste. Rinse your mouth with water before releasing your nose. Record how you feel in the next few hours and days.
6. Wait a week. This is called a "washout period". Repeat the experiment with the second loaf, attempting to keep everything else about the experiment as similar as possible.
7. Compare how you felt each time. Have your friend "unblind" you by telling you which bread you ate on each day. If you experienced symptoms during the wheat challenge but not the control challenge, you may be sensitive to wheat.
If you want to take this to the next level of scientific rigor, repeat the procedure several times to see if the result is consistent. The larger the effect, the fewer times you need to repeat it to be confident in the result.
* Although it can also be disastrous. People who get into the most trouble are "extreme thinkers" who have a tendency to take an idea too far, e.g., avoid all animal foods, avoid all carbohydrate, avoid all fat, run two marathons a week, etc.
** More subjective forms of inquiry have their own advantages.
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