Any tips on loosing weight
 

I have put on a few extra pounds lately that i am finding a bit difficult to shake off, this is not " off the subject of PN " as being previously diagnosed with Prediabetes it is pretty crucial for me to retain good sugar levels not to aggravate the nerves.

I eat all the proper foods, no fats on meat, skinless breasts of chicken, plenty of fish, LOTS of vegetables, no sweets, no alcohol, drink heaps of water and walk for a half an hour most days, but i did go through a period of less activity than normal and that's when i put on the unwanted pounds, but getting rid of it is not so easy this time around.

I have heard some talk about no carb's or less carb's after a certain time of day, anyone have any experience with this or have other idea's that have proven to work well ?
I do have mostly veg's [no potatoes] and a variety of meats in my evening meal, perhaps to many vegetables ???
I suppose a slower metabolism comes with all the other goodies we get when one gets over the 50 mark :D

I would appreciate any thoughts, advise,
thanks,
Brian :)

Oh, you are so right about that.
 

It almost seems that our body's metabolic systems--our glucose/insulin feedback system, in particular--was not made to last us for the lifespans that we are now capable of. Sometime around the late 30's to the mid 40's (happened around 38 to me) the metabolism slows down, as almost all of us develop cellular insulin resistance to some degree, abetted by the loss of muscle (which has more energy needs than most other body tissues except the brain).

I think you're basically doing the right thing--you want to be on a diet very low in simple carbs, and lower in carbs in general, than when you were younger, to give the insulin system some slack in not overreacting to sudden glucose floods (which it tends to slam right into fat cells at this point). Exercise is of course very important, and there seems to be some evidence that building muscle--or at least working not to lose it--may be even more important than aerobic fitness in normalizing the insulin system. Of course, this may not result in much weight loss--muscle weighs more than fat--but one can usually tell by one's body contours (and how one's clothes fit).

The other thing I find helpful is some version of the Zone eating paradigm--small, protein/fat/carb balanced meals several times a day (not two or three) to keep blood sugar/insulin reaction calm and measured. Big spikes from big meals--even if you're eating exactly the same amount of food over the course of a day--tend to result in more fat accumulation over time.

I've actually lost a few pounds over the last several weeks--I'd gotten up to 210 lbs., which is about 20-25 over what I should be. I tend to blame it on the gabapentin, which does have that carb crave/hypothalamus altering side effect--but I'm down to about 206, and I want to dump a few more before Thanksgiving comes along.

I am passing
 

on this subject.... I myself have hit the wall. :thud:

My metabolism has slowed way down, I have found, at over 60.

Likewise... :)


Cathie

Glycemic index?
 

I've done a bit of research on the glycemic index. There are lists of foods that are the good, the bad and the ugly. It was first created for use by diabetics if I have my information correct. They found that people that followed this glycemic index in planning their diets/meals also lost weight. You might want to check into this if you haven't already. :)

Hi Brian:

Well, helloooooooooooooooooothere my fellow loser weighter person!!!!

I'm a diabetic, on insulin, I'm 60 years old, I have degenerative joint disease. I used to weigh 300 lbs. And while I'm not at my ideal weight, yet......I'm getting there.

What worked for me is this. I don't eat any refined carbs, sugar, ANYTHING processed (especially after breakfast. I allow myself a low carb bagel with cream cheese and a cup of Dunkin Donuts Coffee for breakfast every day. Some days it's a different bagel (if they don't have the low-carb ones).

Also, and maybe you can do this, and maybe you can't but, on the advice of the nutritionist Alan and I went to, we went off all red meat whatsoever.

We eat fish, chicken, turkey (lean), and well, no red meat. I remember asking the nutritionist "you mean that a person can't ever eat red meat (and at the time I asked this question, I had been off of red meat for over 10 years, and I just wanted to get her opinion on red meat).

She looked at me and said "if you HAVE to eat a steak, make it once a month, and that's it". I'll never forget the look on her face.

But meat is a good source of B-12. So because I don't eat any red meat, I take the Methyl B-12. So there's my source of B-12.
With me, it's all about the refined sugars, carbs, etc. So after breakfast, it's protein, salads, (including raw veggies), with a splash of extra virgin olive oil.).

For lunch, why not try a salad with grilled chicken. In that salad, there are a few tomatoes, some sliced black olives, some shreded raw zucchini and throw on the cooked grilled chicken, which has been sliced, add a splash of lemon juice and the extra virgin olive oil. Toss, and eat. It's really good and very satisfying.

Then wait 30 minutes or so, and, only if you are able to walk and have no serious feet problems, go for a brisk walk for 30 minutes. Get your heart rate up. I'm 60, and on the days when my knees are not acting up (like if it's 90 degrees outside), I walk for an hour. It burns up whatever I ate.

Now if you start to do weight lifting. And this is especially good for guys, you have to eat small meals throughout the day because you have to FEED the muscle mass and muscle BURNS THE FAT!!!

So, if you are one of those guys with barbells and dumbells around the house, do some lifting, eat some protein, and go out and walk.

If you are not able to do this, just sit in the chair, take two big cans of vegetables and lift them in each hand. It's still weights and it will still burn fat.

See the whole idea is to get started, keep doing it, eat a bit more protein, and lots less carbs. No refined sugars, no high fructose corn syrup in anything you put in your mouth (this stuff is in everything, so read labels). That's why I cook everything I put in my mouth.

And believe me, I was the biggest hostess cupcake eater on the planet.

And I don't put anything in my mouth after 7 p.m. at night. I AM ABLE TO DO THIS. Some diabetics can't. You have to do what's good for your body.


It's all about the metabolism, getting it revved up, and keeping it revved up. Doing it after 50 is the pits. But hey, we gotta try.

I plan on looking like Sophia Loren when I'm 70. Alan thinks I'm nuts, but I make him laugh.

So good luck on your path to being a thinner person.

Believe me, if I followed my own advice when I was 30, I wouldn't be a type 2 diabetic today.

But better late than never.

Melody

You got that right !!
Much, much, more difficult.
I found that Weiight Watchers diet (I did not go to weekly meetings or weigh-ins) worked for me. But my wife ( she's over 50 y's.o.) did go to weekly meetings & weigh-ins and lost over 50 lbs and has kept it off for over 2 yrs.
The points counting system will work. Slowly. One or two lbs at a time... and in 20 weeks, you'll have lost 30-40 lbs. But 20 weeks is almost 1/2 year. Slower is better than fast methods, or slim-pills.
Well....that's my 2 cents!

I have been reading the Dr Oz books one is You the Owners Manual and another is You on a Diet. They also have You the Smart Patient and is about getting the best treatment.I was told I need to express myself better here so this is very helpful for me. So anyhow I don't need to loose weight but I want to eat better. The diet one though seems very informative for people who do. I work with a nutritionist which I think is so helpful and encourage you and others to try one. I'm on an exhange based meal plan that is based on my calorie needs. My nutritionist is not about diets even for people who need to loose weight cause my friend who is a compulsive eater goes to her but about a lifestyle change. No quick fixes but about health. Its about eating every few hours,balance of carb/protein/fat at meals and snacks. You need carbs but the good ones. There energy and if you add a protein and fat it will help slow digestion.That keeps you satisfied and like the energizer bunny.The eating every few hours keeps the furnace going so your a calorie burning machine. My dad is having similar issues. When he was younger being so thin ate junk. Now he has super high cholesterol and pre diabetes. So he has had to change the way he eats and now exercises. My nutritionist always reminds me that proper fuel and a healthy body also helps with meds being absorbed. I really need to work too on better eating. I gained the weight but my food choices are less then optimal. I have learned so much from you all and the problems that can arise when older.Some things we can't control with our health but some we can. I think reminding ourselves that. Good luck.

Brian I would like to help you more. Unfortunately i don't as much as people here. But i can tell you a bit of what my nutriologist has recommended me. When i was on prednisone i gained 10 kilos, i think that is like 20 pounds. I went to the nutriologist and she gave a diet. It was helthy food just as the one you tell us you eat. So i guess what could make you lose more weight would be exercise. Swimming is a good one. I don't know if you're able to do it. But if you are i think you should try it. It can burn more calories thatn walking because you use all your muscles. As far as food is concerned, besides eating healthy food, it is a good idea to eat vegetables first. According to my nutriologist it is easier to process food if you start with veggies. Go see a nutriologist if you don’t loose weight soon. He or she will recommend an adequate balanced program for you. Good luck.

My only suggestion is that your last full meal of the day be three hours prior to bedtime. You need time for your body to burn most or all of it off before you lie down at night. Sometimes that one little change will produce results.

I actually had more success with a balanced meal approach than with low carb. I always have protein with my carbs and vice versa. A nutritionist or diabetic specialist could tell you what range of carbs per meal would be best for you.

And don't get too stressed about it. You're already eating healthy foods, which is more than most people could say. A few extra pounds is less of an issue if you have a healthy lifestyle.

fanfaire
:cool:

Firstly, thank you all very much for your sharing your knowledge,
Glentaj, I was just sticking to the 3 main meals a day, but now see it is much more sensible to lessen the quantity & to spread the food out more evenly during the day should lesson the hunger at the main meal times and not overloading will lesson the impact on the pancreas to supply enough insulin for when its needed

I will down size my evening meal plate, which was a lot of the good carb's & protein but most likely far to much for what is really needed for that time of the day as i am not burning it up, just lying around watching TV at night which isn't the smartest move to do.

Mrs D & Cathie, i don't blame you, it isn't easy :)

Jarrette, i do try to stick to foods that are lower on the glycemic index, your right, they do break down slower and keep you fuller for longer.

Melody, i eat steak once a week, only a fillet or a Porterhouse usually, no fat, i enjoy it tooooo much to give it up :), i would love to pick up my dumbells but a neck problem stops me in my tracks, worst luck, but great idea though.
I will try your chicken salad recipe , sounds delicious thanks for that and yep, i can do some more walking, i think after my evening meal before bed time might be the go.

Bob, yes Weight Watchers program is very good, properly balanced meals, i have friends that have lost huge amounts of weight over time and you are spot on, the slower it drops off the better, i can get the meal plans of them if needed.

Daniella, i agree that we can do a lot to help ourselves, my last cholesterol was 4.5 & blood pressure 130/80 so i am ok in those departments, i did see a dietitian a long time ago and she did help me a lot with choices of food, but the amounts seem to be my problem at the moment, i hope your dad does look after his prediabetes.

Monica, i could do some swimming, there is an all weather pool just around the corner from were i live, it is a very good exercise, i used to go there all the time when my feet were on fire, thanks for the reminder.

Fanfaire, i normally have my evening meal about 6.00 pm and don't go to bed till late, sometimes i do grab an apple or a pear for a snack after though, but i do think cutting down the size of the last meal should help a lot.

Thanks everyone,
Brian :)

Well i'm 61
 

I went nuts 8 yrs. ago when my husband passed away. My drug of choice
food lot's of it,yum,yum. I have always been thin,because I knew I was a
Diabectic 2 not on insulin,but :eek::eek: I felt so sick..Brain if I hadn't
gotten myself to a Dr. and said HELP,i just don't know,well yes I do.

I had to go on Insulin pills,and she challanged me to go on a diet. Then
very much like Mel and Alan she sent me to a wonderfull Diabectic center
here in town,the insurance paid for it,because if i kept eating they would really be paying...I do everything alot like Mel,my walking is done on with
a platform walker,you put your hands though it,and if you have to walk 30
mins in your driveway,or up and down the hall in your house,try and do
it...PN hurts,deep vien problems hurt,knees hurt,and back,trying to haul
that weight around...I must say it sounds like you are road to taking that
weight off...

My youngest son when he had his Thyroid removed ,because of cancer,it
been hard for him,he found Weight Watchers with his mom-in-law and
it really works for him,like Bob..When we get to a certain age Glen and
others are right we hit the wall,but we don't have to knock it over with
are tummie's...I'm glad you brought this up,been thinking about it today.
And then there is Bob he is 78 and has to drink ensure shakes to gain weigh.
Sometimes Bob and his girlfriends ,well they are all so darn healthy,I'm
glad but really all that low fat ice cream,well it's back to life isn't always
even .ha!! :hug::hug::hug: to all...Sue

Hi Sue, I'm sorry to read of your loss, but so glad that you did get the help you needed, i must say i think it's just marvelous of you that you can do all that walking with your frame especially with your ailments to contend with, good for you :) Weight Watchers are well balanced meals and they give a variety of foods, which is helpfull as some diets can get boring, but just for now i will try to cut down & increase exercises and see how that goes.
It's good to see you posting again Sue, you always make me smile.
all the best,
Brian :)

First Sue I'm sorry too. Many hugs
Brian a few things I forgot. You need healthy fats to stay satisified,absorb nutrients,and I heard to burn fat but that may be just what they say. Also I have always been told by nutritionists and all the eating disorder hospitals I have been in even for the compulsive eaters how important a bed time snack is. Not junk but a balance of carbs/protein or carb/fat. It helps keep your metabolism going and keep blood sugar levels. Your also less likey to overeat the next day and also how breakfast is super important with the same issue on overeating. Too bad we all don't live near we could have an exercise club and in person support group. Good luck and keep us updated.

Well Brian I'm glad i make you smile,sometimes I can be in a empty room
and crack mayself up...Non Dan is toatally right about that healthly
snack at night,are you will wake up in the middle oof the night ,and
be hunting throug the refrigerator...And get up a little early because
you want to prepare a helthy brestfast..
Shoot I believe I just said the very samething as Daniella..Well I live
by all kinds of excercise places,but my Dr. perfers if I am going to
tumble,maybe i should do it in or on my own property..But I wish
we were in a support group together,there would be many smiles.
But I think we already are... :hug::hug: to all Sue

The Omega Diet!!!!!
 

I can't remember who recommended it, but way back when, when I was a newbie and knew I needed to lose weight to get this PN under control... I was grasping at straws. I was in too much pain to walk and needed help NOW...
someone recommended the book "The Omega Diet" and I bought it. I have been following the plan pretty close, not to the letter, and I have taken off 30 pounds so far. I am now ready to start walking every day. (Even with my torn rotator cuff). I plan to take off another 40pounds after the surgery to get back to my "healthy" weight of 150.

Basically the plan is, SEVEN fruits and vegetables a day, your proteins come from fish and legumes. Very little breads, cereals, etc.
Eat like man ate before we started farming. Like the indians ate. It is the way our bodies were genetically developed to process food, and it's the way we best process the food.
Cave men didn't grow corn and wheat, they ate mostly berries, roots, and fruits and vegetables. Proteins were fish and lean meats that were free range, not grown on a farm and fed processed feed.
I buy my chicken at Whole Foods and make chicken soup, make one chicken last four meals. Fish goes into salad, soup, and sometimes I eat it alone. I LOVE fish. But, if you aren't a fish eater, this is going to be a difficult plan for you to follow.
When I'm REALLY craving carbs, I boil a Sweet Potato and put some brown sugar on it. If that doesn't work, I grab a bag of Doritos and Much Down!

Good Luck!

I don't remember the last time I had a Dorito!!!!!

Alan used to buy Rice Cakes (thinking they were healthy).
Well, when we went to the nutritionist a few years ago, I remember this list she handed us and we looked at high glycemic foods and low glycemic foods and all the bad stuff was circled and she said "And especially do NOT EAT RICE CAKES"

Alan looked at her like she was bonkers. He said "but I live on these", and she said 'Not any more". It seems they are high carbs or something to that effect.

I never ate rice cakes, because to me they tasted like cardboard.

Yuck!!

Hi Brian
 

I wasn't going to reply to this because i didn't feel I had anything to add initially. I have a feeling I would be much thinner if I were a single woman still!:D I have clients constantly giving me boxes of chocolates,my son is always selling chocolates for school. My husband cooked the biggest 3 steaks on the barbie I have ever seen. Mine was 2/3rds the size length wise of a litre of milk bottle. It made me sick just looking at it dripping blood on my plate.I apologised to him and said I did not want it, it was making me sick. He gave it to the dog.

Anyways I broke down and called Light n Easy meals. The cost is $125 for myself for the week which includeds breakky lunch and dinner for 7 days. The meals are suppose to be nutritios gourmet & fresh. They said after 2 weeks I may titrate just to the 5 day plan,and have weekends off. I figure if I don't have to cook,clean,think,and worry about nutrition and calories it is well worth it. It is also cheaper to just do lunch & dinner.

I get my delivery this Wednesday,and I can tell you how I go.

Daniella & Sue, i agree that is smarter to have a small healthy snack at night rather than try to starve yourself all night then in the morning, you are more likely to over eat at breakfast time, of course the extra benefit would be a more even sugar levels and keeps the metabolism going as well.
Fats - i eat a small handful of nuts each day, its a mixture of walnuts and cashews, i heard that walnuts helps lower bad cholesterol & i use a brand of margarine called " Proactive " that's got 75 % less fat than others and it's advertised to help lower cholesterol absorption as well, other than those the other fats are from meats, but i do cut off any visible fat off the cut of the meat.

Hi Terri, firstly, congrats on the 30 pound loss, that's just fantastic well done :) i know it's not an easy accomplishment.
I haven't actually heard of the omega diet, but you have explained it well.
It does make good sense, a friend of mine dieted similar because he had to loose 3 stone before they would do an operation for him, he only ate fruit for breakfast and lunch and a normal meat & veg dinner [ no breads or processed foods ] and the weight just fell off him in no time, i was really amazed how quickly he lost it.
I do love fish so i wouldn't have any problems there, i live in a seaside village so i don't have to buy much & i will look into the omega diet more so, thanks for your help and good luck shedding the remaining pounds & the cuff injury too.

Brian :)

Aussie:

I think $125 a week for 7 days of food is ASTOUNDING. And you don't have to cook or clean up?? Just pop in microwave, right??

Sounds like the Jennie Craig system that we have here but I don't think it's that cheap.

Wow, $125 is terrific.

Good Luck.

Melody

Somebody told me about the Neutrasystem diet,they used it for a sailing
trip,just had to put them in a bit of boiling water and to there surprise,
they also lost a good deal of weight. You pick what you like,they
dieliver to the house,no freezing needed...They cost about 2dollars 25 cents
a meal,iI will read her e-mail and see how much you get..They have
ones for Diabetic 2...It's somewhat like the Jenny Craig diet,but with
that one you can go in and see the food you are picking...But the try
to sell you more things ,i would think that would bug me,but I have seen
good results.

Terri that is wonderful,and you look great...Aussie so many nurses
take any of the frozen weight lost launches and dinners to work..
Mara in another forum posted what the Pilgrims had for Thanksgiving
dinner,it was very much like your diet Seams..I wish you so much
luch with your arm,think positive. Me i miss my mom's Thankgiving
diinners,too much for everyone,but oh boy YUM...Now I leave
it to the Children,if they can't make it,sometimes Bob and I
have Chinese,like my Jewish part of the family...Now why am I
talking Holidays,sorry got lost in the good old days..:hug: to all ........sue

As a matter of fact i was thinking about getting some of those Rice cakes, i have no idea what type of rice they put in those rice cakes, can't be the long grain rice as they say the long grain is ok, in moderation of course, thanks for the tip Mel.
Brian :)

Hi Aussie, seems pretty reasonable priced for 7 days of properly balanced meals & i think they deliver everything right to your door too if i am not mistaken, seems like a good option for busy people that are working and looking after a family as well, i wish you well, please let us know how it goes.
You might have to re train your clients to give flowers instead of the great temptation of chocolates :D good luck with it anyway.

Brian :)

Down Under
 

there - do you have Weight Watchers? I remember working with two women years ago who went on their diet - which was just normal food and exercise - but healthy stuff - and reasonable portions - and they both lost over 100 lbs......(no pre-packed meals - they just went to meetings once a week to "learn" what to eat and not)... and they kept it off..... Another friend too a few years ago lost about 60 lbs - and she looks great (and we're at that age of putting it on)....

Dont do anything drastic! Due to autonomic neuropathy (gastroparesis) I went thru a period a few years ago where I couldnt keep anything down but broth for 2 months - I lost 30 lbs in that time period and it took a year just to gain back 10 (which is still where I am cause I still have to live on liquids - but Ensure so at least it has calories and nutrients)... I can tell you that your gut is very sensitive to change in diet and if you cut something out it takes a long time to get your system used to it again... sounds like you are eating good and healthy and thats a good thing at least!

Hope you find the formula that works for you:)

For me the struggle is not the meals, as we eat quite lightly in comparison to others and we rarely eat dessert with our meals. It is the in-between snacks, delicious fresh Danish pastries, citrus tarts (yum) and cappuchinos/lattes etc. (when my husband and I meet up during the day or go shopping), as well as, having supper such as cheese, olives, crackers and port in the evening which I think are the real culprits.

I agree with Aussie99 if I was single I'd would not be very motivated to eat but my husband is the driving force with food and he's doesn't have a weight issue. It simply isn't fair. The difference between a fast and a slow metaboliser - -grrr! He goes off to the kitchen and makes something very tempting in the evening (a few hours after dinner) and comes back with it and I say "you have that/those" and he says "no I made some for you"......what can I do! How sweet is that?

That is very sweet
 

I have the same problem with my husband. He always wants to go out to dinner here and there. He likes everything but sushi. I love sushi,and can probably live off of it. He always wants a big bloody steak. Yuk!

Megan... I'm the one with the sweet tooth,but I go through phases.I am now in my healthy phase because I am in pain,and I all I want to do is feel good.When the pain goes away I will be wanting to indulge. I have 10 more kilos to go,and I will buy myself a nice gift, if I loose the weight.

Something... sexy! There I said it!!!

Oh you poor thing Aussie99!!! The 'bloody' big steak has little appeal to me too, especially when eating out - can do that at home if we must!

Fortunately my husband and I both love sushi/handrolls - in fact anything Japanese. But we love Thai, Indian, Greek etc. etc. also and have all these restaurants either in our suburb or very close by. The Yarra Valley wineries and restaurants are also quite close too. Too tempting!

Instead of buyin gthat steak,buy somthing sexy ,my husband loved it..
Wine a good by so full of colories,and must worry about mixture of
that and meds..That's a bummer. Oh really sexy Aussie..heh heh.
Hugs to all Sue

Kneb, yes the " Weight Watches " clubs are every were here, i am basically doing what they do without going in to weigh in every week or so, they are a very good option for some though, i don't need the actual support of such a club as once my mind is made up to do something, i won't slacken off the target one bit.
Last night i down sized my plate and it was really plenty, a few hours later i grabbed a pear for a snack and i wasn't starving hungry this morning so i know that was one reason why i wasn't moving on the scales, all that fuel and just lying around at night watching TV and not burning it all off.

Brian :)

My husband has the typical Australian tastebuds...
 

stubbies,steak,and fish and chips. As a child they ate meat every night.Apparently they were well known at the butcher as having the resources to eat meat everynight.

I am trying to change this now,and he also recognises that all that beef has not done him good.he is also now suffering alot of digestive problems,and bloating and such. He has English ancestry,and I have mentioned that he may have food intolerances such as milk or wheat. He is now starting to take me seriously because he is fatigued about 80% of the time,and his stomach always hurts.

Back to you Brian.:D Apparently Australians now have a huge problem with obesity. Have we stopped to examine why probably as little as 50 years ago the average Australian was so much thinner? I have seen furniture made in the 1940's -1950's and it's tiny compared to our furniture today. I reckon they are poisoning our food supply with additives and preservatives,colours,agents,pestacides,and our bodies cannot break this rubbish down. We need to go back to whole foods as much as possible,and ofcourse preservative free food one step at a time. The pear at night is a great idea. My granny is now 85,and still trim as ever. her secret was that she cooked everything herself,lived on whole foods,no alcohol,fish,and veggies and fruit. No secret at all.She raised 4 kids on that diet,and they were all healthy and then in the late 80's the processed food was slowly making it's way onto the marketplace. Then the people started to get bigger. 27 years later we are considered one of the unhealthiest and most obese nations!

On tv the people who were trying to eat less meat like steak switched to like turkey meat. So like a turkey burger or turkey meatballs. I really feel its a fad about the eating right before bed. Its about calories in vs out not the time a day. A big reason I feel people think its bad too is cause they munch on cookies rather then a balanced snack. I keep wanting to try sushi but it will have to be vegetarian though I'm not vegetarian but raw seafood gives me the heebie jeebies. Australlia people that is neat. I always take interest in people from other countries. I hate to travel but I think the way of living out of the us though I don't want to experience it sounds interesting. I always thought you guys have less junk then us in the US. Aussie were you the one who gave up added sugar for your pain? How is that and the results if so?I'm a candy addict but trying to get better with that and of course and the idea of it helping with the pain is a huge motivator.

Aussie, you made my mouth water at the start of your post " stubbies, steak & fish & chips " :) the steak i can still have, but i would just about kill for a few stubbies then a big feed of fish & chips with plenty of salt & tomotoe sauce all over them :D:D only in my dreams now :)

I seen on Current affairs that Safeway & Coles are allowed to import fruit from countries that they use chemicals on them that are banned for use for Australian farmers to use, yet they allow it to happen :confused:, it's also well known that chemicals are used all the time to keep red meat looking fresh

I do think that not only the hidden chemicals [ which is a worry] but far to much junk food is consumed in the Australian diets, in my younger day it was the norm for fish & chips every Friday night but otherwise every other night was good wholesome food, in some families these days, Kentucky, McDonald's, Pizza's, fish & chips seem to be more popular as a choice for any night of the week and during the day as well, any wonder waist lines have increased so much.

Brian :)

We
 

Do in US so hopefully we are a small start ,in ending that,I hope so..Sue

IMHO, you are doing many of the right things.
I agree with the other poster who mentioned that after age 40, the body seems to fight with all it has to hold onto fat. It seems that one has to be hypervigilent the majority of the time to get it off!
Some things I have found helpful:
1) Exercising at least 4 days a week, at least 30 minutes each time. This is a must.
If possible, try for 6 days a week, at least 30 minutes each time.
2) Do some light weights (if possible) two times a week for 30 minutes.
3) Eating high fiber, low fat foods. (This is a must).
4) Cutting back on flour and sugar.
5) Eating more vegetables.
6) Eating small portions. Most people eat much more than they realize. Write down what you eat. (This is a must).
7) Drink 6-8 glasses of water per day.
8) Cut out most, if not all processed foods.
9) Take a multi-vitamin mineral supplement (minimal), plus any other vitamins your doctors has suggested that you take.
10) Think in a positive manner. See yourself at your new goal weight.


Bottom line: 1,3,6 (all are 'musts') The others are very important and might make the difference between success and failure.


If you still don't lose weight, reduce your portions in increments and exercise a little more. Be consistent. After forty, sometimes our bodies just don't need as much food as we originally thought!

If it still doesn't work, you might want to look for an established weight loss program (Weight Watchers, etc.) in your area for help. YOU on a Diet is a good book to read as well. In addition, you might want to double check with your doctor to see if you have a medical condition causing the problem or if one of your medications is the culprit. If that is the case, perhaps a change could be made.

Daniella, I am with you on the shushi bit, i don't like the idea of eating raw fish either, it's very popular over here & probably does taste good but can't bring myself around to try it either.
I have read a few posts over time were some PN'ers have found that high sugary carbs have aggravated their PN, but i guess not everyone's the same, i know when i used to drink beer i could guaranty within an hour of having some, my feet would burn like buggery. alcohol is a nerve irritant as well, which doesn't help.
Brian :)

You MUST try a California role at your local Japanese Restaurant (that is, if you indeed live near a Japanese Restaurant).

It's a thing that's cut into 6 pieces. It's prepared as such.

They take a pice of seaweed, spread some rice on it, and pat it down, then they add some imitation crab meet, some cucumber, and something else (nothing is raw, the crabmeat is cooked). OH, they put a bit of avocado in this thing.

Then the guy rolls it up, using this bamboo think, until it's this long rolled up thing. Then he cuts it into 6 pieces.

It's put in a little container and they put a little piece of wasabe in it. (I don't like wasabe).

Then they serve it with some low-sodium terriyaki or soy sauce).

You have never tasted anything so delicious in your life.

My neighbor told me "go and try the Philadelphia Roll".

Same method of preparation, but they use smoked salmon and a bit of creamcheese rolled up in the rice and seaweed. I know what you all are thinking, cream cheese on seaweed, and then you dip this in low-sodium soy sauce????

Let me tell you, it's the most delicious thing I ever ate. It doesn't impact my weight, it doesn't impact my sugar whatsoever. I only do this once a week but oh my goodness, it's a nice light lunch, with some Miso Soup (not for the low sodium watchers).

I have never eaten Sushi or Sashimi (this is raw). I only go for the California Roll. I'm trying to get my friend to try this. She says 'oh my god, it's raw". She doesn't believe me.

Oh, another cool thing to know about diabetes. Whenever I eat fish, my sugar is below 100 the next morning (my first sugar reading upon awakening).

Never fails to happen. I've tested this numerous times. I watch my diabetes like a crazy person, so I eat healthy every day.

But to really make it go to 95 or 93, all I have to do is eat fish for dinner. It's absolutely amazing. And I have no idea why.

I eat chicken (grilled, over a bed of salad greens) for lunch, or I have a plain turkey burger with a small salad), but for dinner, I can eat any kind of fish I want to eat, with a veggie and a salad, and nothing after 7 p.m. and lo and behold, I wake up and my sugar is 95.

If I eat chicken for dinner, or turkey, or any-non fish item, my sugar can read 123 or 135, but the fish really brings it down. I have no idea why this is so.

Maybe it's my body reacting to the fish. I eat flounder, sole, catfish, turbot fillet, shrimps (occasionally). It's all good, and it works every time.

I wonder why this happens.???

Melody

Brian I think alchol turns into glucose in the body and like sugar is an inflammatory. I have read so much that sugar does increase pain level. Its so hard to limit though. Melody I think the fish because it has high protein helps lower your blood sugar and omega 3 are known to help lower cholesterol and sugar levels. I'm sure its a combo of things helping you. I truly feel a well rounded plan is the way to go.

Sue, I know we aren't the only country that are bulking up, even some of the school kids are, some schools over here are banning soft drinks & stuff from their canteens, but what they do after school they can't control, but it's a start at least.

Melody, they do sound delicious, but i hardly ever eat Chinese/Japanese foods though, just wondering how you cook your fish ?
I just brought a glucose monitor to keep an eye on my blood sugar levels, not sure about the numerical measures compared to you guys in the US, i done a couple of readings in the morning before breakfast and it 4.5 one morning and 4.9 another, 2 hours after lunch it was 5.7 & 6.1, but after dinner it has been 8.1 & 7.6 so this another reason i cut down the evening meal, but haven't yet measured it since, I was told anything between 4.0 - 8.0 was ok, so i am trying to keep it in between those levels.

Vowel Lady, thanks for all the great suggestions, i am doing most of what you mentioned although any weights are out of the question because of C5,C6,C7 problems, it's easily aggravated then i am real trouble.
The multi minerals i hadn't thought of, so thanks for your input.

Brian :)

Uverisity School Of Mo.
 

Med a few months back,was blessed with a great deal of money,that will
go to help Diabectic 2 Children... I can't tell how blessed,but it must be done.
And now...And i'm a big believer that recess,jump rope,hop ,skip,jump,
and yes junk food out,until then when should at least take a walk with
them,play catch...Well so on and the arts,not everybody has tons of money
for lessons. Just saying....Sue

Sue is absolutely right about the lack of exercise in our school systems. Why they did away with gym, and why these schools serve all this crap at lunch and breakfast, well, I know it's about money, but really. The kids are now obese and it has been said, the next generation will not outlive our generation due to obesity, diabetes, etc. It's frightening.

I remember we had gym class once a week when I was about 12. We had this stupid gym uniform. We had to play dodge ball, and volley ball, and we had to run around the gym. I was chubby and all the other kids made fun of me.

It made for lots of problems with the teachers keeping order. Can you imagine a teacher with 55 kids in one class, during a gym period, keeping everybody in line, running around, exercising??? Don't think so. Kids today run the show. There is no discipline in any of the schools unless the schools are run by the military, and we don't have schools that are run by the military. I wish we did.

Kids today bring cell phones, bring ipods, bring everything but the books. Kids have to go through metal detectors before they go to class. Any of you have to go through metal detectors way back when?? Didn't think so!!!

No, the world we live in today is a far cry from 40 years ago.

Too much freedom, too little lack of discipline. When they took away the parents rights, they lost it all.

Oh, for the good old days.

And Brian, all I do is take some fillet of anything I want, like sole, flounder, tilapia, or tubot, (it just can't have any bones). Now this recipe is for when I want to bread the fish. Here's how!!!In one bowl, I put egg substitute (or egg whites).

Now in another bowl, I put plain breadcrumbs that have no salt added. To the breadcrumbs, I add some garlic poweder, some minced onion, some cumin, some fresh chopped parsley.

Dip the fish in the egg substitute and then dip the fish in the breadcrumb mixture. Spray a frying pan with some no-stick spray. Heat the pan and put the fish in. Keep turning the fish as it browns. Takes about 5 minutes for a thin piece of fish. Fish cooks very quickly. Sprinkle on some fresh lemon juice and (only if you like salt and pepper), just season to taste.

Add some veggies and nice tossed salad and you're good to go.


Now if you don't want to bread the fish, here's how this recipe goes:

Spray a non-stick pan with no-stick spray (any frying pan will do just as long as you have no-stick spray). Chop up some parsley. Put on fish. Now take some chopped up garlic and put it in the pan with the parsley. Saute the garlic a bit together with the parsley. Drizzle some extra virgin olive oil in this mixture. Then add the fish, and cook on one site for 3 minutes, turn it over and cook it another 3 minutes. Fish is done when it is white and flakey.

I also do this with Salmon. Over here, Salmon has one side with the skin still on. And this is a really good Salmon recipe.

Heat up a pan first (using no-stick spray). Put the fish in skin side down. In 5 minutes, turn it over and the skin will peel right off. Throw that away. Now you'll have a nice piece of boneless salmon. Just add chopped up garlic, parsley and lemon juice and cook until it's done. Salmon is thick so this is a trial and error thing. You'll know after you do this a few times.

It's delicious. I also have a George Forman Grill and Salmon is good on that.

But regular fish is too thin for the George Forman.

So Happy Cooking. This is what I made tonight. Fillet of Catfish, zucchini and a nice salad. Alan was a happy man.

Take care,

Melody