tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42781273432722141802024-03-05T10:07:37.851-08:00Joy's Journey in WeightlossJoy's Journey in Weightlosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00186381510697366391noreply@blogger.comBlogger77125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278127343272214180.post-14607805017520996492009-02-19T23:48:00.000-08:002009-02-19T23:58:43.621-08:00Still On Track!Here is a quick update...I am still doing fine. This is day three of no sugar and I am okay. I am really stressed about work and I am excited that I am not making an excuse to throw out what is most important to me. I am going to weigh on Tuesdays and post the weight regularly. So far, I am losing. I am eating enough fruit to help me not feel too deprived (we all know what happens if I go down that road!!). I may let myself have a bit of diet coke or a sugar free mocha every now and then. Still have the headache, but that is more of a stress problem. This weekend, I am going to get on my elliptical and crank the itunes. I look forward to leaving that stress on the elliptical, instead of on my thighs. That is how I have to look at this. I am not going to let it take over. Where do you leave your stress?Joy's Journey in Weightlosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00186381510697366391noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278127343272214180.post-13476572475024082912009-02-17T19:22:00.000-08:002009-02-17T19:25:31.060-08:00Must Be WorkingI am doing well on my three guidelines. I have been off of refined sugar for two days. I am also back off of Diet Coke and Starbucks. The intense caffeine headache proves that my body just can't deal with this stuff. I forget how terrible I feel for about two weeks getting off of the toxic junk that ruled my world. I feel down, anxious and restless. Exactly like a junkie off the junk! Must be working!Joy's Journey in Weightlosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00186381510697366391noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278127343272214180.post-18992066082752852822009-02-16T18:07:00.000-08:002009-02-16T18:42:41.275-08:00Getting it Together!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM8HV4EUKNGRlsHi29flzFhZ_GnQTBxqKeWqQaxmlCPuYbkeYHYtNE0RK03_aokWzxhNBhO4c0JcPZuTbxPFOa-n4kISfayJEXUpL1vktLlIkq5Lt6GJS-bSfuWK5pGH2MaLbCSiL-Gw/s1600-h/Seat_Belt_Extention.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 383px; height: 383px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM8HV4EUKNGRlsHi29flzFhZ_GnQTBxqKeWqQaxmlCPuYbkeYHYtNE0RK03_aokWzxhNBhO4c0JcPZuTbxPFOa-n4kISfayJEXUpL1vktLlIkq5Lt6GJS-bSfuWK5pGH2MaLbCSiL-Gw/s400/Seat_Belt_Extention.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303590937130366274" /></a><br />I had a really good eating day today. It is my first day of sugar free eating after my sugarific Valentine's day. I ate a box of See's candy in two days! Houston, we have a problem!!!!!!!!!! I ate well and did not feel deprived today. I really want to get my act together and today is the first step. As always, sleep is a key factor. I am putting together some rules for myself. Maybe the term "rules" is not good. Guidelines? Part of why I am staying up too late is if I sit down after dinner and don't do the dishes, I will procrastinate until it is very late because I get involved with other projects. Also, I wake up after 11:00. It is a peak time for me creatively. So, here are this week's health guidelines"<br />*Clean kitchen right after dinner<br />*Take a Melatonin tablet after dinner<br />*Turn off computer by 8:00<br /><br />I purposely did not put food restrictions on my weekly guidelines. I am looking at behavior guidelines that will facilitate my energy for exercise etc. <br /><br />My other goal is to lose enough weight in 13 months to be able to fly on a airplane without having a anxiety attack. I have zero fear of flying. I have traveled extensively and worked in 30 states. I have been to the Dallas Fort Worth Airport 30 times! No, my anxiety is all about needing the seat belt extender. One time, I lied and said that I was pregnant. The last trip, I just asked for one. It was humiliating!!!!!!!!!!!!! So, I am going on a fun trip with the family and I will not need a seat belt extender! I think that is a do able goal!Joy's Journey in Weightlosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00186381510697366391noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278127343272214180.post-59608024668152405062009-02-08T22:15:00.000-08:002009-02-08T22:20:27.263-08:00It's Official!I have gained all of the weight I have lost. I am so ticked at myself. I never usually get after myself when I gain, but now I am so irritated that I had to go all or nothing again. I went out of my way to over eat. I have to put away this childish notion that this actually works well for me. It may have served me in the past, but I have to put this concept away. How come I end up where I started? How come I end up where I went wrong?Joy's Journey in Weightlosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00186381510697366391noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278127343272214180.post-52972751208342173672009-02-02T21:05:00.000-08:002009-02-02T21:19:16.866-08:00Almost...I had a great plan today! I had:<br />organic fruit and nuts for breakfast <br />veggie spinach salad with a great<br />sugar free dressing and smoothie (w/ super greens and protein powder) for lunch,<br />hummus and carrots for snack<br />skinless chicken breast w/ veggies for dinner<br />fruit juice for snack<br />I also ate two clif nectar bars as snack. I was okay with that thinking that I was having a transition day. I enjoyed my food! I was having a good eating day.<br /><br />Then...I realized that I had part of a chocolate bar in my purse. I got my shoes on and went to the garage to dig out the bar. I ate that, then, ate chips and salsa, then two rounds of cereal with HANDFULS of brown sugar. Had I abstained from the chocolate, I would have been just fine today. One day into avoiding sugar. <br /><br />On the plus side, I am happy with my spinach salad. I am all ready to add chicken to it tomorrow. I am loving my homemade dressing. My mornings are going well. the sugar just haunts me. I got so excited about the rouge chocolate, that I forgot about my exercise plan. I don't have any more chocolate in the house and I need to get rid of that brown sugar. I am easing back into this. I am happy with the first half of the day!Joy's Journey in Weightlosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00186381510697366391noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278127343272214180.post-8713693816573513522009-02-01T23:19:00.000-08:002009-02-01T23:28:34.926-08:00All or NothingI have gained most of my weight back with my all or nothing way of being. I am eating sugar like it is the last granule I will ever consume. It is just crazy! I just have a block with this whole deal. Thank you to Pubsgal and Miz Fit who are not ready to give up on me. I am not going to give up. I am just in a quandary...I know that I can't tolerate sugar for two important reasons:<br />1. It is deadly for my PCOS and shuts down my endocrine system<br />2. I have a serious addiction to sugar and can't control myself, not unlike an alcoholic.<br /><br />So, my question is...do I start the no sugar at all way of eating again, or do I use it in moderation? I don't seem to be able to use it in moderation. If I feel deprived, then it spirals down to deprivation prevention.<br /><br />In this time of upheaval, I have been consulting my recipe books, journaling, making a work book and stocking up on really delicious, healthy food. My new approach is to eat very delicious food that is exceptionally healthy. Eating healthy. Nothing more, except exercise. Still working it all out.Joy's Journey in Weightlosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00186381510697366391noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278127343272214180.post-27491035732863040302009-01-26T22:37:00.000-08:002009-01-26T22:40:16.976-08:00Still Not a Clue!Noting new to report. I am still unsettled and uncentered. I am doing nothing to move forward. I can't seem to get out of my own vicious circle. More when I get it together!!!Joy's Journey in Weightlosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00186381510697366391noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278127343272214180.post-49043701500742587442009-01-11T17:09:00.001-08:002009-01-12T00:31:07.737-08:00A Year From Now<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvpMFa1-i5xuY2UUhXaYBM-uiK4PO-FXv4yD8E-GixNfKEUrnRAyvcYtM9ZbLVYM9B-5oWaBv5yfIuwktONyI1wiu0Kev7yPrGW6o_LXOMiwrwQGO3oq3RLrVo2q0F_zvUglEMhddgtA/s1600-h/Kaia+Made+a+Birthday+Card+2008.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvpMFa1-i5xuY2UUhXaYBM-uiK4PO-FXv4yD8E-GixNfKEUrnRAyvcYtM9ZbLVYM9B-5oWaBv5yfIuwktONyI1wiu0Kev7yPrGW6o_LXOMiwrwQGO3oq3RLrVo2q0F_zvUglEMhddgtA/s400/Kaia+Made+a+Birthday+Card+2008.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290208782016746898" /></a><br />I did not made a New Year's resolution because they never stick for me. Birthday to birthday goals seem more interesting. My question is what kind of person do I want to be a year from now? Do I want to be a fit person? Do I want to be an organized person? This seemingly never ending sugar binge has me questioning my resolve. Should I totally eliminate sugar, and have monthly treats, yearly treats or no treats at all? Should I just go back on Weight Watchers and eliminate sugar as much as possible, eating only quality foods? I really am stuck. When I am so restricted, I totally flip out and start a rebellion. The problem is that I can't handle sugar, just like any addict. What to do...Yesterday was my birthday and my next year's gift to myself will be a healthier me who is fit for life. The blog says it is a journey. I wonder what is next on the path?! What do <em>you</em> think?Joy's Journey in Weightlosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00186381510697366391noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278127343272214180.post-29876879056585335082009-01-08T18:01:00.000-08:002009-01-08T18:09:32.847-08:00I'm Free...Free Fallin!Still nothing good to report. Still eating sugar and still eating way too much of it. It is like I will never eat sugar again. I think that by the time I went off of my no sugar way of life, I was eating so much fruit and agave that it just did not matter. Going back to no sugar with the bars and agave syrup ice cream is not the answer. The calories are basically the same and it is just natural sugar. I need a detox plan. I have downloaded my ebooks and made a handbook for myself and am getting back to basics. I have a birthday on Sunday and a long girl's weekend over MLK weekend. I don't want to set myself up for failure until all of that is over. I know what you are thinking...make that your birthday gift to yourself! Be sugar free. I thought of that. I just don't think I am there. I have a lot to sort out. My body certainly feels much stiffer than usual. I am just a mess. I will figure it out, though. Thanks for all of your wise words. I am listening to everything you write!Joy's Journey in Weightlosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00186381510697366391noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278127343272214180.post-7315178566212337532009-01-02T23:06:00.001-08:002009-01-02T23:18:55.885-08:00Seriously...?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLsVa_zFy0fZVvhk-BwI5nTLEqvdz5zbY_WH6xxWKQo6AMC085I6TH1ZdqZ-1ypuVS8UQ4jj-DEBJgDtWBtJTmHrucaDNDVt7YlS_kWcZOBI5r2hbCQLIoYidTLWuk0-JeBa5zNcJBGA/s1600-h/sugar+09+011.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLsVa_zFy0fZVvhk-BwI5nTLEqvdz5zbY_WH6xxWKQo6AMC085I6TH1ZdqZ-1ypuVS8UQ4jj-DEBJgDtWBtJTmHrucaDNDVt7YlS_kWcZOBI5r2hbCQLIoYidTLWuk0-JeBa5zNcJBGA/s200/sugar+09+011.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286961693589920050" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbo_8LgsSr02GOOAjUqGYgpdKVuUlVy7QgcQ5-t0sVd_CKJNELdcMlAl1dz0f5m4h_n3-dT3E-_1CfTpUXfzLbXHWbBLxR-itXygvi33G1JmhjoiHZ9mokT_MfQWAUqdCnsf9R4QeE8Q/s1600-h/sugar+09+006.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbo_8LgsSr02GOOAjUqGYgpdKVuUlVy7QgcQ5-t0sVd_CKJNELdcMlAl1dz0f5m4h_n3-dT3E-_1CfTpUXfzLbXHWbBLxR-itXygvi33G1JmhjoiHZ9mokT_MfQWAUqdCnsf9R4QeE8Q/s200/sugar+09+006.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286961188922938402" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmY4iU87g01s6Ib9xakTv50bDrqdUOCKxm9w7V6RtxQzwqPQDmr67k2vVIIMnhkei8y22RBxJalIcd2ABxcyWIiFCqqz_hJhlkMLEBeZ1x1uYFTDKvi6tfWwz0iEZ_tKtU2hhDph9Dw/s1600-h/sugar+09+005.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmY4iU87g01s6Ib9xakTv50bDrqdUOCKxm9w7V6RtxQzwqPQDmr67k2vVIIMnhkei8y22RBxJalIcd2ABxcyWIiFCqqz_hJhlkMLEBeZ1x1uYFTDKvi6tfWwz0iEZ_tKtU2hhDph9Dw/s200/sugar+09+005.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286960818280772306" /></a><br /><br />I am still flittering around, eating sugar and finding excuses to not get a plan. Tonight, I at a pint of ice cream but that was not enough sugar for me. I had no other sugar in the house, so I got creative! I remembered that a friend had given my daughter a pumpkin filled with Halloween candy and it was rattling around in the back of my car in a tote bag. I got up from my cozy home and went to the garage to find this pumpkin, not even knowing what I would find. I brought it in and cracked it open. I don't really even like these candies, other than the chocolate. I ate several Starbursts and went nuts from there. If I ever start to wonder if I have a sugar addiction problem, I hope one of you will remind me about this ridiculous post.Joy's Journey in Weightlosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00186381510697366391noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278127343272214180.post-68191303481240016802009-01-01T01:06:00.001-08:002009-01-01T01:09:02.620-08:00If You Fail to Plan, Ya Plan to Fail!<a href="http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/wghsJjO/"><br /><img border="0" src="http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/t/wghsJjO/weight.png"></a><br /><br />I thought I was over the sugar, but apparently not! It is all about organization. I do not have adequate alternative food in the house, I still have stuff to organize to clear my brain, and I still am on my forbidden tour of foods! I am not there yet. Will be. For sure.<br /><br />Happy New Year!Joy's Journey in Weightlosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00186381510697366391noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278127343272214180.post-69472911836605714642008-12-27T08:29:00.000-08:002008-12-27T08:55:35.079-08:00Transition<a href="http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/wghsJjO/"><br /><img border="0" src="http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/t/wghsJjO/weight.png"></a><br /><br />Weight update after sugarpolooza-the same at 288. I consulted with David Vanadia, my sugar free mentor, at http://www.vanadia.com/stopbeingsweet<br />and he suggested that to ease back into sugar free life, I should use borderline foods (Any sugar free food that does not make me binge) and start there. I had a really successful day. I did not feel deprived, but I did feel much more in control. I have almost given all of my sugary treats away did not want to eat my delish caramels. I am not worried yet about hidden sugars and over doing agave during this transition. I am happy to report that I went to bed at 9:15 and got up at 8:15 for some really good sleep. That in turn, makes me want to get on my elliptical and rock it! I also took my vitamins. I have such an appreciation for the way I felt off of sugar. Now, I need to get serious about how much I use agave and fruit. I also need to get serious about exercise for health and also to get more results for my efforts. Here is my plan (after the transition) for phase two.<br />*use the resource of mizfit and other exercise to implement a plan for regular exercise<br />*only use agave or larabars for once in a while treats<br />*remove non sugar trigger foods like those Gladfood popcorn nuggets<br />*use melatonin after I eat dinner to start the process of being tired and going to bed no later than 11:30 (striving for 10)<br />*vitamins<br />*make lunch at home to save money and eat better at least 4 days a week<br />*organic when possible<br />*cage free foods<br />*eat at home more for better quality of food <br />*clean the kitchen right after dinner instead of procrastinating so I stay up later<br />*slowly remove white bread products like pizza dough etc. <br />*journal<br />*read more at night<br />That is enough for now! What are you adding or taking away from your plan?Joy's Journey in Weightlosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00186381510697366391noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278127343272214180.post-22322879555499006822008-12-26T00:08:00.000-08:002008-12-26T00:21:19.849-08:00I Am Over It!I will officially put the Sugarpolooza to bed as I hit the pillow tonight. I am SICK of sugar and let me tell you, I do not feel well. I have shortness of breath, every time I eat some sugar, my chest feels tight, and I ache. My sugar overload was excessive and I sure feel the effects. In the morning, I will put a plan together for phase two! I seriously can't wait. If this "experience" has taught be anything, it is that I want a different quality of life. I want a vibrant and energetic life. On sugar, I have anxiety. I worry when I am on sugar. I worry that I will die in the middle of the night and leave my child motherless. These days on sugar had me worrying about that all of the time. Ironically, my daughter and I were in an accident this past week, when a car ran his stop sign and hit us as we travelled down the road. We are okay. Clearly, this is not my time to die. I have way too much to do. I can either spend my time worrying or I can lose the weight and be a vivacious person who is living life.Joy's Journey in Weightlosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00186381510697366391noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278127343272214180.post-76984411910954721972008-12-23T16:37:00.000-08:002008-12-23T16:54:32.536-08:00Caramel Crack<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXIggbVYWKtrLHL8MDjs4NeW3jKLnQGk7GeMiK2RhmwxgGBk_2CaL-OjgJ3CdqI-E5Emz-wQkqQCWfwSQ4dGwkbJnQnGoZLcOpLuDcEZ_-GJkvmRTabZa4-_tfHDZPZhfp8mTKBXz8lQ/s1600-h/17_blog%5B1%5D.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 117px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXIggbVYWKtrLHL8MDjs4NeW3jKLnQGk7GeMiK2RhmwxgGBk_2CaL-OjgJ3CdqI-E5Emz-wQkqQCWfwSQ4dGwkbJnQnGoZLcOpLuDcEZ_-GJkvmRTabZa4-_tfHDZPZhfp8mTKBXz8lQ/s400/17_blog%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283153389408836546" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGiTVFpMOnKRmlN7_BKG87VBDWU_3Dliz38YKESI0jCLAGaVpqDug8dKPzEuAdkoEpnnqAxgRTjM02d4XxjCl_OfxEo_aZfTTJX2Lvg0wDriksqXMx5_GN9E3b8BN1e1Azy6vQS_xSsA/s1600-h/17_blog%5B1%5D.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 117px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGiTVFpMOnKRmlN7_BKG87VBDWU_3Dliz38YKESI0jCLAGaVpqDug8dKPzEuAdkoEpnnqAxgRTjM02d4XxjCl_OfxEo_aZfTTJX2Lvg0wDriksqXMx5_GN9E3b8BN1e1Azy6vQS_xSsA/s400/17_blog%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283153246590613906" /></a><br />Last night at 2:00 in the morning, I decided that I would make homemade caramels. I told myself that I was doing it that late because I did not want my five year old around the hot sugar mixure on the stove. That was one factor, but mostly, I wanted to stay up and make more sugar. Because I am on vacation, I switch into the late night mode that I crave. The caramels came out fabulously! I did not stop there. I bought caramel ice cream, and drank caramel mochas. I mixed in a bit of sugar cookie dough in between eating the caramel. Right now, I never want to eat sugar again, yet, in a few minutes, I will be going to the fridge and scoop out some chilled sugar cookie dough. So, here are some of the side effects from all of this junk:<br />*weight gain-that's an understatement<br />*anxiety<br />*I can't bound up the stairs like usual, without my heart pounding<br />*I look terrible<br />*I have dark circles and splotchy skin<br />*I am weak and tired<br />*My tongue is sour and overwhelmed<br />*I am stiff when I first wake up.<br />I will be happy to get off of this craptastic plan on Friday. Even though I have these reactions, I think it will remind me why I am not using sugar anymore. I think I will be much more motivated for my next phase.Joy's Journey in Weightlosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00186381510697366391noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278127343272214180.post-7117517735564055992008-12-20T01:27:00.000-08:002008-12-20T01:41:22.320-08:00Tour of Forbidden FoodsHere is a sugarpolooza update:<br /><br />I can't believe how different I feel. I wake up walking like an 80 year old man. I am stiff and my tongue feels likes I have assaulted it with sugar sand paper. It is like a sour, sugar burn. My mouth is sour and sugar is too sweet. The more sugar I eat, the more desensitized my tongue becomes. I have gained five lbs in a short time. I don't pop up off the sofa easily. I have more anxiety on sugar. I worry about things that I have not worried about for 141 days. <br /><br />I think that I have noticed enough difference, that when I detox, I will have a renewed purpose that was not there before. I want to move to a phase two:<br />regular exercise<br />only "use"agave or fruit bars once a week<br />lay off white bread type stuff except for once a week<br />exercise<br /><br />I will have a heck of a detox coming up! I actually can't wait to get going again. That is CRAZY coming from me. I still don't care much about chocolate now and that <em>never</em> would have come out of my mouth. Right now, I am shoving chocolate in my mouth way past the point of even wanting it.<br /><br />I am taking a "tour of forbidden foods" between now and the 26th. I love teriyaki chicken and want to have that. I had Thai (which is so sugared up). I wanted the Starbucks salted caramel hot chocolate and I have had three times. Why did I need to get the HUGE size all three times? What else should I eat between now and Christmas??!?<br /><br /><br />I am certainly learning a lot about this whole process. I feel out of control and worry about the detox. I think I needed to go through this so I can finally "get it" that this needs to be a way of life for me. When I have had this stuff, it has been "no big whoop," except for chocolate chip cookie dough. That stuff is like crack. The other foods so far have been no big deal. What foods do you build up to be better than they actually are when you finally eat it? What foods are your "crack?"Joy's Journey in Weightlosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00186381510697366391noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278127343272214180.post-28990520832593186702008-12-17T21:32:00.000-08:002008-12-17T21:42:47.943-08:00Sugar, Sugar, and Then More Sugar!After my alphabet cookies, I decided to "let it rip" as far as eating sugar. I started off my day with pancakes, continued with chocolate pudding, a ton of cookie dough and about ten cookies. My tongue had the weirdest, sour taste on it all day. I felt achy and anxious. Just a few minutes ago, I ate more dough. I really did not want it, but I ate it anyway. Here is some wisdom from my super sugar day:<br />1.I built up sugar to be amazing. The alphabet cookies were "no woop." <br />2.Chocolate chip cookie dough is incredible and I can't handle it.<br />3.I feel better emotionally when I am in more control. I don't know how I am going to handle sugar between now and Christmas. <br />4.It was not worth it.<br />5.My weight will be up tomorrow<br />Maybe this was a great learning experience. I think this will help me in my next phase. I feel like I am in limbo right now. Hmmmmmmm what next?Joy's Journey in Weightlosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00186381510697366391noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278127343272214180.post-18675613842426807912008-12-15T22:09:00.000-08:002008-12-15T22:44:44.161-08:00Cabin Fever Leads to Early Sugarpolooza!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8cWwhWkGqXxx3txS-Dm3NlTNl4sC3f3fBWMulzSDhhf1-2eI4jfsF9z-Wyl17yyoyxhV8VBxW9akZmKRYtA-TmqbCHQzz0figBd5ROY56HqfBMais8Udd2AAyT8hl32E6LGaks8gjwQ/s1600-h/alphabet_cookies%5B1%5D.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 155px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8cWwhWkGqXxx3txS-Dm3NlTNl4sC3f3fBWMulzSDhhf1-2eI4jfsF9z-Wyl17yyoyxhV8VBxW9akZmKRYtA-TmqbCHQzz0figBd5ROY56HqfBMais8Udd2AAyT8hl32E6LGaks8gjwQ/s400/alphabet_cookies%5B1%5D.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280267491498242978" /></a><br /><br />Never in a million years would I think I would ruin my sugar abstinence with kid alphabet cookies! Let me start at the beginning of my spiral down to the dark side of my sugar addiction. I have been stuck inside the house because we have had snow for three days. This is not typical for my location here in the Northwest. I am looking at four more days inside. I LOVE snow days, but I get very antsy. I am constantly checking to see if the next day will be a snow day. I have run out of my sugar substitutes because I stress ate them all. It was almost like I was hoarding them. I ate three Larabars in one day. Since all of my "acceptable" treats were gone and I could not get out to buy more, I started pacing around getting more and more unsettled. I did not eat my meals at regular times, which lead to uncontrollable stupid snacking like tortillas with melted butter. <br /><br />I was watching the Food Network and it was constant cookie making. I decided that I would start my "sugarpolooza" early and bake cookies with my daughter. My plan would be to add to our already Christmasy snow day! I have absolutely no ingredients for cookies in my house. I do not even have one granule of sugar. I could not drive to the store, but had two ideas...my Dad could drive over the ingredients over if he was going to Starbucks for a latte. There was no way he was getting off of his hill, latte or not. My best friend had studs on her tires and was going to pop over with some ingredients. The roads were even too icy for her tires. I had my heart set on that batter...I had waited 141 days after all! I was almost prepared to brave the ice and walk down the street to my neighbors for some brown sugar and baking soda. It was serious ice and I decided to get a clue. So, "Operation Cookie Dough" was a failure. You would think I would celebrate the close call. Nope. I found some of my daughter's Newman's Organic alphabet cookies (that we handled when we made words) and ate the rest of the package. They were not very good or satisfying. It did not cure my need for the batter. I wonder what tomorrow will hold for my cabin fever. What I know for sure is:<br />* I am so far from kicking this addiction to sugar<br />* I am using fruit and corn as my sugar and that has to stop<br />* It is going to be much more difficult to get back on track on Jan.26 <br /><br />The plus to my snow days is that I am having a ball with my daughter. She is beating me on our match game. We have played kitchen, dolls, and read Christmas stories. I guess the world won't end if I bake cookies tomorrow.<br /><br />JoyJoy's Journey in Weightlosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00186381510697366391noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278127343272214180.post-25274607340538865942008-12-11T01:08:00.000-08:002008-12-11T01:10:59.846-08:00Sugar the New HeroinStudy Suggests Sugar May Be Addictive<br />Finding might yield new insights into eating disorders, experts say<br />By Amanda Gardner, HealthDay Reporter <br /> <br /><br />WEDNESDAY, Dec. 10 (HealthDay News) -- Science is verifying what many overeaters have suspected for a long time: sugar can be addictive.<br /><br />In fact, the sweetener seems to prompt the same chemical changes in the brain seen in people who abuse drugs such as cocaine and heroin.<br /><br />The findings were to be presented Wednesday at the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology's annual meeting, in Nashville. <br /><br />"Our evidence from an animal model suggests that bingeing on sugar can act in the brain in ways very similar to drugs of abuse," lead researcher Bart Hoebel, a professor of psychology at Princeton University, said during a Dec. 4 teleconference.<br /><br />"Drinking large amounts of sugar water when hungry can cause behavioral changes and even neurochemical changes in the brain which resemble changes that are produced when animals or people take substances of abuse. These animals show signs of withdrawal and even long-lasting effects that might resemble craving," he said.<br /><br />Dr. Louis Aronne, director of the Comprehensive Weight Control Program at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York City, added: "The big question has been whether it's just a behavioral thing or is it a metabolic chemical thing, and evidence like this supports the idea that something chemical is going on."<br /><br />A "sugar addiction" may even act as a "gateway" to later abuse of drugs such as alcohol, Hoebel said. <br /><br />The stages of addiction, as defined by the American Psychiatric Association, include bingeing, withdrawal and craving. <br /><br />For the new research, rats were denied food for 12 hours a day, then were given access to food and sugar (25 percent glucose and 10 percent sucrose, similar to a soft drink) for 12 hours a day, for three to four weeks.<br /><br />The bingeing released a surge of the neurotransmitter dopamine each time in the part of the brain involved in reward, the nucleus accumbens. "It's been known that drugs of abuse release or increase the levels of dopamine in that part of the brain," Hoebel said.<br /><br />But it wasn't only the sugar that caused this effect, Hoebel explained -- it was the sugar combined with the alternating schedule of deprivation and largesse. After three weeks, the rats showed signs of withdrawal similar to those seen when people stop smoking or drinking alcohol or using morphine.<br /><br />The scientists next blocked the animals' brain endorphins and found withdrawal symptoms, anxiety, behavioral depression and a drop in dopamine levels. In other words, they confirmed a neurochemical link with the rats' behavior. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br />But longer periods of abstinence didn't "cure" the rats. Instead, there were long-lasting effects with the animals: They ingested more sugar than before, as if they were craving the substance and, without sugar, they drank more alcohol. <br /><br />The researchers speculated that some of these brain changes may also occur in people with eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia, although more research needs to be done to confirm the effects in humans. <br /><br />"Some say it's easy to lose weight -- you just have to shut your mouth, stop eating so much," Aronne said. "I tell them a good way to overcome global warming is if people made less carbon dioxide by breathing less. Obviously, that's absurd. You can't do it because you feel uncomfortable.<br /><br />"The same thing is true of eating," he added. "Fattening food has an impact on the regulating mechanism that breaks down your sense of fullness, makes you feel an urge to go back and get that blast of sugar and this creates the vicious cycle of weight gain that we're going through."Joy's Journey in Weightlosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00186381510697366391noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278127343272214180.post-23074596301195489062008-12-06T19:13:00.000-08:002008-12-06T19:45:45.238-08:00Un Glad Corn<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDgAaWXBnGMBkj6FLeqhs5uhIFrLGGdxfoqXeMdb0T2VGhsNTtuxLrtTy3CATY3PSyQmIsNbvirJ7zaUKGNADscbNYUuabl36JyL0OOtzfsRiFtKBIaAa3IxZL9U_hGhaCA_K-F-Tspg/s1600-h/Orig%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 175px; height: 237px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDgAaWXBnGMBkj6FLeqhs5uhIFrLGGdxfoqXeMdb0T2VGhsNTtuxLrtTy3CATY3PSyQmIsNbvirJ7zaUKGNADscbNYUuabl36JyL0OOtzfsRiFtKBIaAa3IxZL9U_hGhaCA_K-F-Tspg/s400/Orig%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276887010518504898" /></a><br />I never thought in a million years that I would be abusing corn. Sugar, you betcha! Corn, really? I have never been a chip person. I don't really like potato chips or fries for that matter. I have never purchased a bag of Frito's in my life. Not only am I eating Frito's and corn chips, I have been eating something called "Gladcorn." The Gladcorn is what is making me the most unglad (is that a word?). Gladcorn is like the <em>almost</em> popped corn that you get in your bowl. There is enough of the popped part to make it crunchy and satisfying. Like a good corn nut but better. They were sampling it at the local health food store. It was delish and I got a bag. I kept getting bags, along with chips and Frito's. Just 1/3 of a cup is 140 calories. There are 12 servings in a bag. I have EASILY eaten a half a back several times lately. That is 840 calories. I am having the same reaction to corn as I did sugar. The reason is that corn is basically sugar. Same, same, same!<br /><br />What is also the same is that I have slacked on the exercise. I did it a few lame attempts, but I am seriously too tired. I am still getting about 5 hours a night. I just have so much on my mind, that I cannot turn my brain off. I realize that it is a vicious circle. I am still off of sugar and let me tell, it has been difficult in the sweetest month of the year. My "Sugarpalooza" rules have been broken in the exercise department. I just have to get a handle on my sleep. Do I need to take some kind of sleeping pill as soon as I get home from school so I will go to bed at a reasonable time?!<br /><br />I have to get this together!<br /><br />Joy<br /><br />P.S.<br /><br />Pubsgirl wanted to know who my experts were on the no sugar life. Two favs are:<br />http://www.vanadia.com/stopbeingsweet/about/<br />http://www.firstourselves.com/first_ourselves/product_ebook-how-to-give-up-sugar_shortform.htmlJoy's Journey in Weightlosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00186381510697366391noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278127343272214180.post-27491360738550997732008-12-01T23:36:00.000-08:002008-12-01T23:58:13.113-08:00Sugarpalooza Rules!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ4ZYsIBaIbPqLu4TUB-3RHWKDi-uHjezrFTRprUwvfPfwiWSkVyHoYfLxnaSexrhmRzfv1sFqOM4W1x-kUyGVdodJyswqYkb8JPJtvkahrdC3kAxhfE7I56ZvkCBtqwOo2-_JOZCbyA/s1600-h/cookie%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 332px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ4ZYsIBaIbPqLu4TUB-3RHWKDi-uHjezrFTRprUwvfPfwiWSkVyHoYfLxnaSexrhmRzfv1sFqOM4W1x-kUyGVdodJyswqYkb8JPJtvkahrdC3kAxhfE7I56ZvkCBtqwOo2-_JOZCbyA/s400/cookie%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275098939012165666" /></a><br />So, I have gotten out of my funk of same, same, same. I am now preparing for my yearly "Sugarpalooza." Just what is the Sugarpalooza? According to my wise sugar free mentors, they say that they are successful if once a year (some do it more often), they plan on eating sugar for foursih days. My time for sugar will be Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I may go a day earlier but I would like not to because I don't want the withdrawals to be hellish. Here is my training plan to work up to the Sugarpalooza...<br /><br />December 1-23rd I have to exercise every day. I did it today and I felt great!<br />I had not exercised since I started this sugar free way of life. I think doing this to work up to having my sugar will get me into the pattern of doing it for the next phase of my health goals.<br /><br />I have to make my own healthy lunch each day instead of skipping it and going to get some junk (sugar free of course...there IS junk that is sugar free-trust me!)<br /><br />So far I have stuck to the sugarpalooza rules. It is day one, but I am confident. I did not even have one morsel of pumpkin pie, cake or anything on Thanksgiving that contained sugar. I really did not miss it.<br /><br />This time of year normally puts me into a sugar coma. As someone who works in a school, we get goodies all month long. I come to work and find five or six plates of cookies on my desk. I am a bit scared of eating sugar because of my past experience. I am stronger now, I have proven to myself that I can do it and I feel better being in control of my sugar addiction. <br /><br />My fun challenge is that my 48 hours is limited and so I will only indulge in the very best sugar treats. What are your suggestions????????????????Joy's Journey in Weightlosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00186381510697366391noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278127343272214180.post-90261895018044962182008-11-19T21:01:00.001-08:002008-11-19T21:11:38.062-08:00SORRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I did not want to waste your time with filler when I have done NOTHING regarding my weightloss, sleep, or generally well being. I am actually very overwhelmed with most things right now. Luckily, I have not broken my no refined sugar promise and I am really proud of that. Day 115!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have lost 27lbs, but my SLOW weighloss has unmotivated me. I was feeling deprived with little result. Yes, I know...if I exercised, it would improve my mindset.<br /><br />I think my deal is that I am not managing my stress from my job, and a single mom very well. By the time the evening rolls around, I am dog tired. I am running on about four hours sleep so I am a bit of a zombie. I have promised myself that over the Thanksgiving break for the four days, I would pull it together and kick in. Cripe, my laundry alone is kicking my butt right now. Ever had one of those months?<br /><br />Thank you to my blog buds who have not given up on me. I appreciate your kind words. I know many people who have checked in and there was not update have moved on with good reason. I will keep going and I hope that I come out of this boring holding pattern. <br /><br />JoyJoy's Journey in Weightlosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00186381510697366391noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278127343272214180.post-1294578657957333182008-10-31T22:27:00.000-07:002008-10-31T22:42:40.428-07:00Halloween-Sugar Free Style!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyEFV519GxVoWFxKGnl5x12w2brXC_JSwP968ImOBwkoV07c2aHBg580ZKDMw4YWNPYH8iqQM7lVyhyphenhyphenMlCZdn2DKGog2_tPcwBiSBIaiUZBlHYOX3oCIdjZaaG03hLm9AfRC-KRiJPdg/s1600-h/Kaia+October+2008+166.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyEFV519GxVoWFxKGnl5x12w2brXC_JSwP968ImOBwkoV07c2aHBg580ZKDMw4YWNPYH8iqQM7lVyhyphenhyphenMlCZdn2DKGog2_tPcwBiSBIaiUZBlHYOX3oCIdjZaaG03hLm9AfRC-KRiJPdg/s400/Kaia+October+2008+166.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263560090239957378" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/wghsJjO/"><br /><img border="0" src="http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/t/wghsJjO/weight.png"></a><br />Well, this Halloween is the first one without one single candy in my 42 year history. I can't say that I even care about the candy. I look at it like any other ordinary object, like a pencil. Last year, I at a ton. Ate all of the good candy out of my daughter's stash (she was too young to know the difference). I would stuff four or five "snack size" bars in my mouth in a sitting. My school had party after party this year with unbelievable treats. I did not have one single Halloween treat and I don't feel deprived. Mostly, it is because I am satisfied with my fruit or Larabars. The agave sweetened ice cream helps too much. Right now, I feel like I am in limbo land...between really kicking this thing out and stopping the abuse of fruit/bread, with just hanging here sitting with my progress so far. That is why it has taken me a a while to post. I am not experiencing much, in terms of progress. I have not exercised or lost more weights. If I am not careful, my "rogue" fruit/agave/white bread abuse will catch up with me and defeat my goal.Joy's Journey in Weightlosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00186381510697366391noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278127343272214180.post-86994270750425749382008-10-18T21:09:00.000-07:002008-10-18T21:20:10.806-07:00Pushing It!<a href="http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/wghsJjO/"><br /><img border="0" src="http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/t/wghsJjO/weight.png"></a><br />I was at the beach for a few days and did not have access to my scale. I was with about 14 people at a beautiful beach house. I brought my Larabars so I would not feel deprived when everyone else had sugary stuff. I had alternatives planned when the delish french toast breakfast was served. I read every snack package and did not even have the cool pretzle chips because they contained trace amounts of sugar. So...my scale should have been party time, right? Nope. I made up for the lack of sugar with lots of butter! Ate all of those Larabars, had extra servings of dinner and just generally over ate the whole time. I got on the scale this morning and I was up 3 lbs! What up??!? I know what is up-HELLO! The other situation is that I think I am getting my period. That is a huge miracle! I had not had one in years and I have had two in three months off of sugar. Maybe, instead of this bargaining, maybe I should dust off the darn eliptical and get moving. Okay-that is what I am doing tomorrow. I promise!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Joy's Journey in Weightlosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00186381510697366391noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278127343272214180.post-48968614989814543772008-10-11T10:45:00.000-07:002008-10-11T11:02:17.507-07:00Hop Scotch<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBjO6J2wohPxI_i1DazKUab4Th8aSqeqaeTwUPOuQmiKUs4jIO7F2DKDUChyphenhypheniBQnwkpmuA0W-tPfvPfS0oJplFs8Bm08X5foWsJ2uz6T8ekhdWzGPxaL8RUAN4-Vh_itFkUb240ZrM7Q/s1600-h/800px-TiuFeiKei(Hopscotch)_pattern%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBjO6J2wohPxI_i1DazKUab4Th8aSqeqaeTwUPOuQmiKUs4jIO7F2DKDUChyphenhypheniBQnwkpmuA0W-tPfvPfS0oJplFs8Bm08X5foWsJ2uz6T8ekhdWzGPxaL8RUAN4-Vh_itFkUb240ZrM7Q/s400/800px-TiuFeiKei(Hopscotch)_pattern%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255958133211785874" /></a><br />My daughter and I were in the kitchen this morning and she was playing hopscotch on the ceramic tile floor. She wanted me to do it too. I thought, no prob! I am a playful mom! In my jammies, I hopscotched across the kitchen floor. All of a sudden, I heard a horrific sound! It was my fat flapping each time I jumped in my jammies in the squares. I am not sure that my daughter noticed, but it sure slowed down my hopscotch career. I had to play the visual in my head complete with sound effects. I am not one to ridicule myself for this weight, but this was gross! This fat is stopping me from being me. Have you ever had that kind of moment? <br /><br />Maybe that moment will help me stop phoning in my goals. I did only two of the six. I did:<br />*cook something interesting<br />*stay sugar free<br /><br />I did not:<br />*go to bed before 11:30<br />*clean up the kitchen before I relaxed<br />*computer off at 9<br />*take a tennis lesson<br /><br />So, I am just going to add one thing-(other than no sugar and cook something interesting)<br />In bed by 12:00. If I can be successful with that, I can start to lower it. <br /><br />Thanks again for your wise words!Joy's Journey in Weightlosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00186381510697366391noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278127343272214180.post-37239719142846991642008-10-03T22:10:00.000-07:002008-10-03T22:27:45.014-07:00Bliss<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8etvjE68dIHFS8Viq-3TU3fK2B3rSedmsKkK1u_NMN_Dp2sIQyEtXfs6dDKqq8oxEsxbqyL4llPo3cZhJcisfgnrTiu2XJDYgguPGKEVlsfUdIeqokiEucF7xd4VuYf2qUfQBBe6i8Q/s1600-h/new-look-banner-inside.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8etvjE68dIHFS8Viq-3TU3fK2B3rSedmsKkK1u_NMN_Dp2sIQyEtXfs6dDKqq8oxEsxbqyL4llPo3cZhJcisfgnrTiu2XJDYgguPGKEVlsfUdIeqokiEucF7xd4VuYf2qUfQBBe6i8Q/s400/new-look-banner-inside.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253161778863623490" /></a><br /><br />Bliss. I have missed some food bliss since I have been sugar free. I did have an unbelievable cherry, peach and fresh corn this summer, but it was short of a blissful moment. Today...bliss! I found some unbelievable ice cream sweetened with Agave. It is organic and free trade. Did I mention is was DELISH! I had resolved the fact that I would not have ice cream. I can have it and this a great way to keep me going while not feeling deprived. I am doing better with my Starbucks Vivano. I do not have to have it and have forgotten about it with the colder weather. I am still a little to cozy to the Larabar. <br /><br />Okay, I have been thinking about your wise words. Thank you, by the way for keeping me honest! I think that my plan is to do weekly plans. Next week I will:<br />*Be sugar free!<br />*Go to bed at 11:00 and be in bed by 11:30<br />*Clean up kitchen, do lunches, organize for the day before T.V.<br />*Computer off at 9:00<br />*Take a tennis lesson on Thursday<br />*Cook something interesting.<br /><br />What is one of your goals this week?Joy's Journey in Weightlosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00186381510697366391noreply@blogger.com8