Beauty

[77yangya]

Look at other countries....they don't have tons of cake and cookies and the people are not chronically obese like here. Philip Morris, tobacco company bought up Kraft or something like that and want to keep you hooked. They put in stuff that is like dopamine to the brain and it's just like a true addiction. Sad but true. Best thing is stop all junk and sooner or later you'll break away. It's tough but you'll be better in the long run.

[Q4u]

I made a "game" of it. To see how long I could go without refined sugar, and white carbs.

After a lifetime of bad eating habits, and wanting sugar more than good wholesome food I was diagnosed with Diabetes (my numbers were at 599 at the time of diagnosis). Scared me spitless because I know that Diabetes will kill you from the inside out. I stopped eating candy, cookies, everything I knew with overtly sugar. I actually stopped eating crackers, potatos, even carrots and corn for awhile. I slowly added the potato, carrots and corn after I lost about 30lbs. I stopped eating anything "white"... which is made with processed white flour and went for Multi-grains. Instead of eating two pieces of the multi-grain bread, I at one because I was taught that I could only have so many carbs per day.

The "game" also consisted of eating half what I wanted. If we went out, I'd order a healthy meal (no french fries, 1/2 of a bun on a hamberger, etc.) and eat about half of that. I brought home the other half and the boys went nuts because they love anything in a styrofoam box!

It eventually became habit. And that's all we can ask for. A few strawberries or watermelon now tastes like the richest dessert. I don't eat near as much as I used to and I actually don't miss the sweets (ok, maybe a chocolate chip cookie... but now I can have two bites, feel like I've really gotten a treat and am happy with that.)

And BEST OF ALL.... I lowered my numbers (which was an A1C of 12) in three months to and A1C of 6.3. I've kept it in the 6's all these years.

30lbs off .... it was REALLY worth it. Best of luck, I KNOW you can do it!

[PamB226]

On 11/27/2014 ellaphant said:

Just stop.

*rolls eyes*

[bonnielu]

I may be the one who GAVE UP THE SWEETS and lost the weight. There is a story behind this one. First and foremost, my doctor likes numbers and lines. If you get anywhere near the LINE he concludes you have that ailment. So I was tagged with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and G-d knows what else. Knowing I was borderline I challenged him and he would not give in. Next thing was I got angry. I never get angry. I started getting messages from my insurance company to do this and that, they were in the form of letters and phone calls. This even made me more angry. So much for privacy. And so much for truth. I did take his array of meds and one outdid the other for causing me problems. Statin caused my fingers to lock. And it is known that statins in some raise blood sugar levels. I could not win. My weight was up and my thyroid was slightly on the low side. And to top it off my sister who runs, and swims and exercises had a heart attack. She and I, as well as many family members love dessert. Diet in the form of dessert and more dessert. In my case dessert as a meal or two or three.

This anger caused me to:

1. Buy a Fitbit to track my exercise and diet

2. Join MyFitnessPal dot com

3. Ask for a referral to a dietician

4. And yes dump the sugary stuff cold turkey!

With all this help and the ANGER and of course some fear I totally stopped all dessert. I then cut my portions down of any real food I was eating. (I don't eat beef it was a matter of controlling my other foods and making sure the diet was balanced ). Obviously this is in the territory of the dietician. (I go once a month to weigh in and she is pleased and honestly surprised I have made this progress). I am down twenty pounds and going for 20 more. The big surprise was the 1200 calorie rule ended up 1000 for me since I am short --- five feet even. Lots of misinformation about the 1200 mark.

No I am not starving because exercise allows me to buy calories back so I really can eat 1200 -1500 if I work it off.

What kind of exercise?

1. Yard work.... raking, shoveling, planting

2. Dancing almost every evening.. Square dancing and ballroom

3. Walking when I shop, parking far from the stores.

4. Some treadmill (hubby has a gym in the basement, literally)

Are my friend supportive? No way. They tell me to GO AHEAD HAVE SOME, YOU DESERVE IT or YOU DON'T NEED TO LOSE MORE. Some friends, huh!

In January I will take a blood test, go back to the doctor, and then take all the meds, lay them on the table and tell him to donate them to his favorite charity or better yet trash them in his trash can.

I am going to win this one! I am the master of my own fate.

[vickie25]

On 11/29/2014 bonnielu said:

I may be the one who GAVE UP THE SWEETS and lost the weight. There is a story behind this one. First and foremost, my doctor likes numbers and lines. If you get anywhere near the LINE he concludes you have that ailment. So I was tagged with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and G-d knows what else. Knowing I was borderline I challenged him and he would not give in. Next thing was I got angry. I never get angry. I started getting messages from my insurance company to do this and that, they were in the form of letters and phone calls. This even made me more angry. So much for privacy. And so much for truth. I did take his array of meds and one outdid the other for causing me problems. Statin caused my fingers to lock. And it is known that statins in some raise blood sugar levels. I could not win. My weight was up and my thyroid was slightly on the low side. And to top it off my sister who runs, and swims and exercises had a heart attack. She and I, as well as many family members love dessert. Diet in the form of dessert and more dessert. In my case dessert as a meal or two or three.

This anger caused me to:

1. Buy a Fitbit to track my exercise and diet

2. Join MyFitnessPal dot com

3. Ask for a referral to a dietician

4. And yes dump the sugary stuff cold turkey!

With all this help and the ANGER and of course some fear I totally stopped all dessert. I then cut my portions down of any real food I was eating. (I don't eat beef it was a matter of controlling my other foods and making sure the diet was balanced ). Obviously this is in the territory of the dietician. (I go once a month to weigh in and she is pleased and honestly surprised I have made this progress). I am down twenty pounds and going for 20 more. The big surprise was the 1200 calorie rule ended up 1000 for me since I am short --- five feet even. Lots of misinformation about the 1200 mark.

No I am not starving because exercise allows me to buy calories back so I really can eat 1200 -1500 if I work it off.

What kind of exercise?

1. Yard work.... raking, shoveling, planting

2. Dancing almost every evening.. Square dancing and ballroom

3. Walking when I shop, parking far from the stores.

4. Some treadmill (hubby has a gym in the basement, literally)

Are my friend supportive? No way. They tell me to GO AHEAD HAVE SOME, YOU DESERVE IT or YOU DON'T NEED TO LOSE MORE. Some friends, huh!

In January I will take a blood test, go back to the doctor, and then take all the meds, lay them on the table and tell him to donate them to his favorite charity or better yet trash them in his trash can.

I am going to win this one! I am the master of my own fate.

That is so remarkable what you've been able to accomplish with no support. Besides putting the meds on the table or trashing them, I think it's time to trash your doctor. You need to find a one who is willing to work with you.

[VaBelle35]

It will help you to give up sweets if you elimination all added sugar and sweeteners (fake and natural) in all foods.

I thought I knew what had sugar in it and what didn't, but my participating in Whole30 made me look at every single label on every single item.

I found more places where sugar was hiding.

My free range organic frozen chicken is soaked in a dextrose solution (sugar). My plain frozen hash browns are soaked in a dextrose solution (so that they crisp up when cooked).

Beef/Chicken Broth/Stock (regular and organic) has sugar in it.

[bonnielu]

Yes, I am thinking of finding a new doctor as suggested, however I live in a less than dense area in a rural setting with little or no choices. Many doctors have left the area and the state. Mine is one of the best of the lot. So I am stuck. It would seem the older you get the solution to everything is meds. Of course one interacts with the other and then the negatives snowball.

I am looking forward to January and my follow up testing. I AM GOING TO DO WHAT I CAN as my best advocate.

[ChancesMom]

I cannot thank all of you enough for all of your kindness and advice! I have read and re-read your replies so many times - and I can honestly say I have not had any cake or sweets all weekend. I know I have eaten food with added sugar but I can tackle that next. Thanks again!

[gonnab]

Ever see the PTV program with JJ Virgin? What do you think of her philosophy?

[cuddlesmama]

I also lost 20lbs years ago by giving up sugar. I now eat fruit, and if I buy fruit in a can I look for no sugar added. You would not believe how fast the weight drops off giving up sugar plus its not good for you. Start eating healthy and you will feel better and look better.